Can a 12-year-old still correct mouth breathing during sleep?

It is generally possible to correct mouth breathing during sleep in a 12-year-old child. Mouth breathing while sleeping may be caused by incorrect sleeping posture, nasal congestion, or adenoid hypertrophy.

1. Incorrect sleeping posture

Poor sleeping posture can cause the child's neck to bend, leading to breathing difficulties, which may result in mouth breathing during sleep. When the child falls asleep, adjusting the sleeping position properly—keeping the head and neck slightly tilted backward and ensuring the shoulders and head are fully supported by the pillow—can help reduce the occurrence of mouth breathing.

2. Nasal congestion

If the child has recently caught a cold, swelling of the nasal mucosa and increased secretions may lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose. If nasal congestion and runny nose are caused by allergic rhinitis, nasal irrigation with physiological saline under a doctor's guidance can help. Additionally, medications such as pediatric paracetamol-phenylephrine granules or Pudilan oral liquid may be taken to relieve nasal symptoms.

3. Adenoid hypertrophy

A child's adenoids gradually enlarge between the ages of two and six. Frequent colds during this period may worsen adenoid hypertrophy, affecting nasal airflow. When a child catches a cold, timely medication is recommended. In cases of severe adenoid enlargement, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Besides the above causes, mouth breathing could also result from conditions such as oral ulcers. It is advisable to visit a hospital for a thorough examination and receive prompt treatment to avoid delaying recovery.