When there is less volume in the airways, pressure goes up. This increase in airway pressure is the definition of Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). Though the increase in pressure is an issue in itself, it is merely a response to the decrease in volume. Narrowing in the airways increases the effort needed to breathe. Compare this narrowing to breathing through a straw – doesn’t sound fun at all.
As it gets harder to breathe, your body goes into overdrive trying to maintain oxygen levels. The additional effort to breathe puts a strain on other systems of the body, making it increasingly difficult to achieve quality sleep. During sleep, your body should fall into a restful state of healing. This is the time where your body recovers from everything it’s done that day. This healing process requires a constant supply of oxygen to the brain.
The best source of oxygen is through nasal breathing. During nasal breathing, the sinuses release nitric oxide which mixes with oxygen, increasing blood flow to the lungs and lowering blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
Because the upper palate is the same bone that houses the nasal sinuses, a small jaw and/or high, narrow palate can be a huge sign of narrow or cramped nasal passages. Teeth Crowding/crooked teeth can be an easily identified sign of a small jaw, indicating lack of space to fit all the teeth. Small jaws indicate small airways, meaning lack of oxygen, difficulty breathing, and oftentimes sleep breathing disorders like UARS.