Patients who have difficulty breathing through their nose are often very uncomfortable at the dentist.  Because they are forced to breathe through their mouth, they have problems with gagging, choking, claustrophobia, impressions, cotton rolls, rubber dams, water spray, retraction etc.  For many reasons beyond the scope of this post, it is important to be able to breathe through the nose, and an ENT referral is a good idea to help these patients.  However, a simple solution for every dental office is to stock up on Breathe Right Strips.  Breathe Right Strips are like spring loaded Band Aids that are applied across the bridge of the nose. Once they are stuck on, they hold the nostrils open wider, allowing air to flow more freely through the nose.  Professional athletes are often seen on the playing field wearing Breathe Right Strips to help them with maximum air exchange.  Others with allergies, deviated septums, sinus problems or snorers use Breathe Right Strips every night for sleep.  Get a box a Breathe Right Strips for your office and the next time you have a patient who is a mouth breather, try putting a Breathe Right Strip on their nose.  Your patient will thank you for it and will probably want to take some Breathe Right Strips home.