More people than ever seem to be suffering from one or more of these mouth conditions: overcrowded teeth, obstructive sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and mouth breathing.
They are all red flags that some medical and dental experts say are evidence of a pervasive problem related to our modern lifestyle.
The human jaw is shrinking, they say, and it’s not simply a cosmetic concern. It’s often rooted in childhood, and while symptoms sometimes appear early in life—particularly overcrowded, crooked teeth that are addressed with orthodontics—it’s usually not until adulthood that other problems arise.
A small but growing vocal group on the fringes of health care say these symptoms can be traced back to changing facial bones that are constricting airways….