[Relationship between abnormal swallowing and mouth breathing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between abnormal swallowing and mouth breathing. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with abnormal swallowing and 38 patients with normal swallowing were selected. All patients presented with no airway constriction. The age range of the patients was 11-14 years old. The number of patients with mouth breathing was calculated. Statistical analysis (chi(2) test) was performed. RESULTS: The number of patients with mouth breathing in the abnormal swallowing group (17, 45%) was significantly higher than that in the normal swallowing group (5, 13%) (chi(2) = 9.212, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal swallowing was related to mouth breathing.