Child Mouth Breathing & Snoring: Causes, Adenoids & When to See an ENT

### Could mouth breathing and snoring be caused by adenoids? Yes. In children, especially those under 10 years of age, persistent mouth breathing, loud snoring, recurrent ear or nose infections, and disturbed sleep can be associated with enlarged adenoids. ### What are adenoids? Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose. They normally help with immune function during childhood, but they can become enlarged or chronically inflamed and obstruct the nasal airway. ### What symptoms can enlarged adenoids cause? Common symptoms may include: - Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose - Loud or persistent snoring - Restless or interrupted sleep - Recurrent ear infections - Recurrent sinus or nasal infections - Nasal speech or a blocked-nose sensation - Reduced hearing in some children due to middle-ear fluid ### How are adenoids diagnosed? An ENT specialist may evaluate the child through a clinical examination and, when appropriate, nasal endoscopy. An X-ray may sometimes be used, depending on the clinical situation. ### Does every child need surgery? No. Mild cases may improve with medical treatment and observation. If symptoms remain severe or persistent despite appropriate medical treatment, an ENT surgeon may consider an adenoidectomy or another appropriate surgical option. ### Which doctor should you consult? If your child has persistent mouth breathing, loud snoring, recurrent ear infections, or disturbed sleep, consult an ENT specialist for evaluation.