[Survey of 500 Men and Women] Do Your Child's Daily Habits Affect Their Teeth Alignment and Orthodontics? About 58% 'Had Never Thought About It'

Mouth breathing, posture, and tongue habits are crucial factors affecting dental arch and jaw growth.

Have you ever considered whether your daily habits affect your teeth alignment or orthodontic treatment?

If your child has habits like mouth breathing or tongue thrusting, it might be a good idea to consult a dental clinic.

This time, we conducted a survey on children's orthodontics to investigate the level of interest people have in the relationship between teeth alignment and daily habits.

※ When quoting the contents of this press release, please do the following: ・State that the source is 'a survey by smileline Co., Ltd. and Komagome Ekimae Smile Orthodontics.' ・Include a link to Komagome Ekimae Smile Orthodontics (https://www.komagome-smile.com).

'Survey on Children's Orthodontics' Overview

Survey Period: April 13, 2026 – April 13, 2026 Survey Organization: smileline Co., Ltd. (in-house survey) Target Audience: Men and women nationwide Valid Responses: 500 samples Survey Method: Internet survey

Question 1: Have you ever felt that your child has a 'tendency for mouth breathing'? Question 2: In what situations do you notice mouth breathing? Question 3: Did your child have any of the following habits or characteristics? Question 4: Have you ever thought that daily habits could affect teeth alignment or orthodontics? Question 5: To what extent are you concerned about your child's teeth alignment or bite? Question 6: Have you ever consulted a dental clinic about your child's teeth alignment? Question 7: What is the reason for not consulting a dental clinic?

※ As figures are generally rounded to the first decimal place, the total may not equal 100%.

About 20% report 'tendency' for child's mouth breathing, but half state they are unaware.

In this survey, while about 20% of guardians (total of 'often' and 'sometimes') felt their child had a tendency for mouth breathing, about 50% answered 'not at all.'

From this result, it can be said that while a certain number of guardians feel something is amiss, many may not 'recognize it as a problem.'

Especially since mouth breathing often occurs unconsciously and is easily overlooked, it's possible that the actual prevalence is underestimated.

Among 332 men / 168 women Often: 19 men (approx. 5.7%) / 9 women (approx. 5.3%) Sometimes: 50 men (approx. 15.1%) / 38 women (approx. 22.6%) Rarely: 91 men (approx. 27.4%) / 47 women (approx. 28.0%) Not at all: 168 men (approx. 50.6%) / 72 women (approx. 42.9%) Other (free answer): 4 men (approx. 1.2%) / 2 women (approx. 1.2%)

Looking at the answers by gender, the percentage of women who felt it 'sometimes' occurs is slightly higher, which seems to reflect a difference in daily observation.

'During sleep' is the most common situation for noticing mouth breathing, yet about 60% are not concerned.

Next, we asked in what situations they were concerned about their child's mouth breathing.

The most common situation was 'during sleep (mouth is open),' at about 30%.

On the other hand, about 60% of people answered 'not particularly concerned,' the highest number, suggesting a low level of interest in mouth breathing itself.

Among 332 men / 168 women During sleep: 91 men (approx. 27.4%) / 50 women (approx. 29.8%) While watching TV/smartphone: 16 men (approx. 4.8%) / 8 women (approx. 4.8%) Unconsciously during the day: 13 men (approx. 3.9%) / 8 women (approx. 4.8%) During exercise: 8 men (approx. 2.4%) / 1 woman (approx. 0.6%) Not particularly concerned: 202 men (approx. 60.8%) / 99 women (approx. 58.9%) Other (free answer): 2 men (approx. 0.6%) / 2 women (approx. 1.2%)

Since sleep is an unconscious state, it is easy to notice, whereas minor mouth breathing during the day tends to be overlooked.

This shows a current situation where it is only seen as a problem in 'situations where a clear abnormality can be recognized.'

Although there was no significant gender difference, women showed a slightly higher tendency to notice.

About 60% report 'no particular characteristics of concern,' but multiple signs related to mouth breathing exist.

Next, we asked if their children had any of the following habits or characteristics.

Regarding children's habits and characteristics, 'nothing of particular concern' was the most common answer, at about 60%.

On the other hand, a certain number of signs related to mouth breathing were also confirmed, such as 'mouth is open when sleeping (approx. 11-13%)' and 'mouth is agape (approx. 7%).'

Furthermore, including 'snoring' and 'nasal congestion,'