Advantages of Nasal Breathing

Nasal breathing has many advantages over mouth breathing. 

The nasal hair creates excellent filtration of the air which helps reduce irritants from entering the lungs. There is a higher concentration of nitric oxide which leads to vasodilation that helps expand blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Nitric oxide  increases carbon dioxide levels in blood, which in turn releases oxygen. Overall, nasal breathing is more efficient with better oxygen uptake and delivery throughout the body. 

Nitric oxide may help fight lung infections and improve brain function. 

Nasal breathing improves lung capacity and allows a more efficient exercise tolerance with fewer breaths per minute; therefore, the body is not working as hard to consume the same amount of oxygen with better performance and endurance. Nasal breathing also allows warmer air in and strengthens the diaphragm. 

Most important, nasal breathing, unlike mouth breathing, allows deeper or fuller breaths and expands the lower lung which activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system). Mouth breathing stimulates or expands the upper lungs and activates the sympathetic or fight/flight system.

Last but not least, nasal breathing improves our oral health by keeping the mouth moist (increasing saliva production) and preventing bacteria growth.