Major medical breakthroughs can come from unexpected places, who would think an artist could transform orthodontic practice? George Catlin, an American artist born in 1796, is famous for his remarkable record in paintings and notes on native Indians but his great genius has been almost ignored till recent years. In his book entitled “Shut Your Mouth & Save Your Life” written in 1870, he details his assertions that the bad habit of modern man of mouth breathing was the cause of much of his disease and disfigurement.
Your Child’s Crooked Teeth, Their Breathing & Their General Health
Major medical breakthroughs can come from unexpected places, who would think an artist could transform orthodontic practice?
George Catlin, an American artist born in 1796, is famous for his remarkable record in paintings and notes on native Indians but his great genius has been almost ignored till recent years. In his book entitled “Shut Your Mouth & Save Your Life” written in 1870 he details his assertions that the bad habit of modern man of mouth breathing was the cause of much of his disease and disfigurement. This was based on his close observation and questioning of thousands of native Indians & white immigrants. It has taken almost one and a half centuries for modern research in medicine to recognize the validity of this concept. Today there is a growing number of specialist orthodontists and health workers who say the same thing based on sound scientific evidence.
On 5th October 2012 there was a Conference in New York of American Association of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry discussing this association. Since then an increasing number of orthodontists are adding breath training to their regular practice services especially with young children whilst their cranial structures are developing. So now we know that orthodontic problems like crooked or crowded teeth are not due to genetic factors but to the bad habit of mouth breathing. You can watch an excellent video on YouTube by the leading international dentist Dr. John Flutter who explains the technicalities, just search for Dr. John Flutter.
If the only adverse effect of mouth breathing was poor facial development that would be bad enough, but mouth breathing also predisposes children to other health problems including recurrent throat infections, enlarged tonsils, asthma, poor sleep and much more, simply because their bodies are poorly oxygenated and the protection against infective agents is lost by not breathing through the nose. Everyone can learn to breathe normally in just a few weeks with the Buteyko Method Training. Much of the success of the Buteyko Method of training is due to the elimination of mouth breathing, advice against over-eating, the encouragement of more physical exercise and advice on quality sleeping. The ideas are so simple to teach or learn that they have been dismissed by mainstream medicine that increasingly puts its faith (yes, I use the word “faith” intentionally) in drug therapy or other intensive medical interventions.
The truth is there is little profit to be made from simple remedial systems that could threaten the profitability of our international pharmaceutical companies and the vast industry built on the management of disease if the public were better informed of their existence. Meanwhile, take Mr. Catlin’s advice and ensure you and your family “Shut Your Mouth & start on the road to better health!”
Dr john Flutter video: