Evaluation of head and neck region muscles with ultrasonography in children with mouth breathing

Mouth breathing can negatively impact quality of life, oral health, occlusion, and craniofacial development, and can disrupt muscle balance in the head and neck region. The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness and stiffness of the head and neck muscles in children who breathe through their mouths and noses, and to identify the potential effects of mouth breathing on these muscles. In this study, the thickness of the muscles in the head and neck region of 80 children aged 4-14 years who were mouth and nose breathers (control group) were measured with ultrasonography and the degree of muscle stiffness was measured with elastography. As a result, all muscle thicknesses except the orbicularis oris inferior were found to be lower in the mouth-breathing group. Statistically significant differences were found between the thicknesses of the right masseter (p=0.002), left masseter (p=0.006), right stemocleidomastoideus (p=0.003), and left sternocleidomastoideus (p=0.016). The left masseter muscle thickness was significantly greater in the boys in the mouth-breathing group (p=0.002). Elastography values of the sterocleidomastoideus muscle were significantly higher in the boys in the control group (right: p=0.024; left: p=0.007). Mouth breathing causes changes in the thickness and stiffness of the muscles in the head and neck region. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these changes from leading to skeletal problems or other health issues. In these patients, ultrasound examinations can help identify muscle changes early, and necessary consultations can contribute to an improved quality of life.