Which factor is associated with mouth breathing gingival enlargement?

Mouth breathing gingival enlargement is primarily associated with decreased lip coverage. When an individual breathes through their mouth, the absence of lip coverage leads to chronic exposure of the gingival tissues to the oral environment. This constant exposure can result in inflammation and contribute to the enlargement of the gingiva.

The gingiva is normally protected from desiccation and mechanical irritation by the lips, so when mouth breathing occurs, the supportive environment is disrupted. This can lead to conditions that cause gingival tissues to become swollen and inflamed due to the lack of adequate protection and hydration.

Other factors listed, such as increased brushing frequency, excessive saliva production, and continuous chewing, do not directly relate to the mechanism of mouth breathing or its effect on gingival tissue. Increased brushing might help maintain oral hygiene and could decrease gingival inflammation, while excessive saliva and continuous chewing have different implications regarding oral health and do not specifically contribute to mouth breathing enlargement.