# Mouthbreathers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219 "2010-12-15T09:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/21 "2010-12-16T01:02:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > One question for normal nose-breathers–is it difficult at all for you to breathe through your mouths? I ask because I’ve been in a number of situations where there is a terrible stench of some kind and I just mouth breathe so as not to be bothered by it. It seems others either are not able to do this easily, or it doesn’t occur to them to do so. I have bruxism, which means I clench my teeth and grind them when I sleep. This pretty much results in always having a closed mouth unless I’m talking or have a cold. I have to consciously try to keep my molars separated during the day. Luckily, I guess, I have no sinus issues, so I breathe almost exclusively through my nose unless I’m exercising, talking, or have a cold. As far as the terrible stench business is concerned, as someone with a fully functioning sinus cavity, I can tell you that I can smell plenty whether I’m breathing through my nose or mouth. It’s all connected, and unless my sinuses are stuffed up with a cold or something, I can smell that stench no matter what. I imagine if someone is mouth breathing due to sinus troubles, their sense of smell may be a bit impaired anyway, and the sinus blockage may prevent mouth-breathed stenches from reaching scent glands. Lucky you! ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/22 "2010-12-16T01:12:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > One question for normal nose-breathers–is it difficult at all for you to breathe through your mouths? I ask because I’ve been in a number of situations where there is a terrible stench of some kind and I just mouth breathe so as not to be bothered by it. It seems others either are not able to do this easily, or it doesn’t occur to them to do so. Physically I have no problem with mouth breathing, but psychologically I feel like I’m _eating_ the stench rather than just smelling it so I normally continue nose breathing. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/23 "2010-12-16T01:58:59Z")
Here’s what is probably[the origin of the stereotype](http://www.ds-health.com/psurg.htm). > [@](#): > > Children with Down syndrome often have an open mouth and protruding tongue, though this appears to be worse in early childhood. The protruding tongue is due to a combination of several factors: a smaller than average oral cavity, enlargement of the portion of the tongue that lies near the tonsils, and a lack of muscle tone of the tongue. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/24 "2010-12-16T02:13:49Z")
I think the pertinent part of the OP was: “mouth agape, lower lip protruding.” That implies not only breathing through one’s mouth but also having no consciousness of one’s appearance. When I have a cold, I breathe through my mouth, but my mouth does not gape or hang open. Well, not unless I’m really, really sick, and then I’m home anyway. And possibly asleep. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/25 "2010-12-16T02:47:26Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > I think the pertinent part of the OP was: “mouth agape, lower lip protruding.” The person I saw did also have a vacant stare that added to my presumption of stupidity. But even then, we all have occasions where we daydream and our eyes lose focus. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/26 "2010-12-16T04:51:16Z")
I use the term mouthbreather as a general insult when I’m around fellow gamers, but I don’t think less of people who literally breathe through their mouth. The reason it came about as an insult, perhaps, is that when a guy goes slack-jawed over a woman, his mouth falls open and he starts like… panting, but slowly… simultaneously. This is pretty fucking unique (and squicky) to hear or witness. I breathe through my nose all the time. I am definitely capable of mouth breathing but it chaps my lips up. I think I have some sinus issues because I have the only-one-nostril-open thing going on when I sleep on my side, and I love the easier-to-breathe feeling when I purposely flare my nostrils. Or possibly my nostrils are just smaller than average because I do have quite a smaller nose than most (it’s one of my only redeeming features). But breathing through my mouth makes it all dry and uncomfortable, so I don’t unless my nose is totally blocked up and I have no choice. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219/27 "2010-12-16T05:26:32Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > My IQ doesn’t plummet at these times. You’re so miserable that it feels like it does, though. ☹ Og bless Nasonex. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouthbreathers/564219.md?page=1)