# Why Is Mouthbreathing Associated With Stupidity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665 "2003-07-20T00:18:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bugnorton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bugnorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bugnorton)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/21 "2003-07-20T12:44:48Z")
Okay this is the eeewww part, according to Marilyn Vos Savant (I’ll locate the cite if it’s absolutely necessary) odor smells because it actually has particulate mass distinct from the regular atmospheric mix we are used to breathing. I’m with the shirt breathers, just because I don’t smell it doesn’t mean I want to welcome it, unfiltered, into my mouth and lungs. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/22 "2003-07-20T14:02:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bugnorton \* > \*\*Okay this is the eeewww part, according to Marilyn Vos Savant (I’ll locate the cite if it’s absolutely necessary) odor smells because it actually has particulate mass distinct from the regular atmospheric mix we are used to breathing. I’m with the shirt breathers, just because I don’t smell it doesn’t mean I want to welcome it, unfiltered, into my mouth and lungs. \*\* Either you misquoted her, or Marilyn is FOS. When you smell something, your nose (actually the olfactory organs in the nose) is detecting _molecules_ of the material in the air. Particulate matter, such as dust, is too large to get into the olfactory organs. ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/23 "2003-07-20T14:57:40Z")
Hang on **tomndebb** , You discount **Phlosphr** ’s Hawking example because the man “suffers a neurological problem [which] just might indicate that he is not typical on any sort of generalizations.” Fine- I agree. But then you give us some cites discussing the prevalence of mouthbreathing in victims of Down’s Syndrome. Somehow I don’t think these individuals are typical for any sort of generalizations. (And yes I note that you were not entirely happy with those cites.) To counter your personal experience with mine, I have never noticed a correlation between mouthbreathing and lowered intelligence. -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![xvxdarkknightxvx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/34f0e0/32.png) [@xvxdarkknightxvx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xvxdarkknightxvx)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/24 "2003-07-20T18:39:13Z")
I breathe through my shirt when nasty odors abound because, like **Bugnorton** , I don’t want it entering my body. I know when I smell something bad, it is filtered, making it somewhat safer, but when that something’s smell enters the mouth, it doesn’t get filtered. So this leaves me with the option of (1) nose-breathing and enduring the foul stench or (2) filtering the air with my shirt. I obviously choose my shirt. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/25 "2003-07-20T20:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > But then you give us some cites discussing the prevalence of mouthbreathing in victims of Down’s Syndrome. Somehow I don’t think these individuals are typical for any sort of generalizations. My first citation addressed _mental retardation_, not limited to Down Syndrome. People suffering Down Syndrome _do_, typically (always?) suffer mental retardation. Since the OP was asking for the source of stereotypes, then the _common peception_ of the relationship between Down Syndrome and mental retardation is going to reinforce that stereotype. (For that matter, while Dr. Hawking suffers from ALS, his appearance is similar to victims of cerebral palsy who are often quite bright, but who are frequently treated by the uninformed as if they were of lower intelligence.) The issue is not whether there is a true reciprocal realtionship between lower intelligence and mouth breathing, the issue is what is the source of that perception. ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/26 "2003-07-20T21:02:34Z")
People with Down’s Syndrome always suffer mental retardation, AFAIK, and my sister is Down’s. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/27 "2003-07-20T21:48:53Z")
IIRC, a few people with Down’s syndrome have average intelligence, so they would not be technically classified as retarded. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/28 "2003-07-21T00:35:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by I Love Me, Vol. I \* > \*\*Not joking. This really happens. I have always thought it paradoxical: The mouth-breathers are the smart ones in this situation and the so-called “mouth-breathers” are so stupid they avoid the simple thing that will eliminate the foul smell-- breathing through their mouths. \*\* No, what I mean is… You must be joking that leaving mouth open for bad smell is a _good_ thing. Because it is not… ‘Clever’ people beleive that if you leave your mouth open for bad smells you let the bad smell particles into your system. Whereas if you nose-breath you are using your nose for what it’s for (other than smelling things) that is - filtering the air we breath. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/29 "2003-07-21T00:45:42Z")
well— OK— I was only thinking about the best way to avoid the odor without looking like a goof (shirt up over nose)-- but I take all y’alls point about filtering out the molecules. Makes sense. But let’s face it, we are inhaling all kinds of nasty/dangerous stuff all the time that is odorless. Still, I guess maybe I’m the mouth-breather after all! ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/30 "2003-07-21T00:49:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by I Love Me, Vol. I \* > \*\*But let’s face it, we are inhaling all kinds of nasty/dangerous stuff all the time that is odorless. \*\* True. We are an irrational species aren’t we. Even the ‘clever’ ones. I keep my mouth closed because the open state is uncomfortable. (and I am paranoid that I might have bad breath) ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/31 "2003-07-21T02:53:57Z")
Hey **tomndebb** , > [@](#): > > The issue is not whether there is a true reciprocal realtionship between lower intelligence and mouth breathing, the issue is what is the source of that perception. I fully understand the issue. However, I don’t believe that mouthbreathing is the first thing that enters most people’s minds when they think “Down’s Syndrome.” There are far more obvious traits associated with the disorder. None of your cites point toward mental retardation as the _source_ of the perception that mouthbreathing is associated with stupidity. I remain skeptical. -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/32 "2003-07-21T03:30:08Z")
Take a look at some old Medevial paintings of crowds scenes - there is sometimes a “village idiot” depicted somewhere in there, and he probably has his mouth hanging open. In college I took some courses in Chemical Dependency Counselling, and the professor pointed out that these “village idiots” in the paintings frequently exhibit the facial features typical of people who suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. i.e. Mom drank a lot while she was pregnant. I’m suddenly reminded of the scene in _Robin Hood: Men In Tights_, during the archery contest. The awestruck peasant who declares, “He split Robin’s arrow in twain!” and then remains standing there frozen with his mouth hanging wide open. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/33 "2003-07-21T04:07:51Z")
> [@](#): > > There are far more obvious traits associated with the disorder. None of your cites point toward mental retardation as the source of the perception that mouthbreathing is associated with stupidity. I remain skeptical. Source is irrelevant. Correlation is all that is needed. (Many people treat intelligent Cerebral Palsy victims as if they were retarded.) As the dental site noted, people with mental retardation (not just Down Syndrome) tend to suffer from effects of mouth breathing. So we have one organization that deals with oral problems associating mouth breathing and mental retardation (lower intelligence). There is no need for a causal relation; an association is sufficient to power a stereotype. Not having made an exhaustive study of the situation, I am not offended by your skepticism. However, I have provided _some_ evidence for my position and have yet to see a good counter-proposal. To what would you attribute the association? ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/34 "2003-07-21T04:58:51Z")
I’m surprised no one has touched on the possibility that for those that don’t have a mental/physical disposition to “mouthbreathe”, might just be percieved as ignorant of the social standard that keeping one’s mouth closed it the accepted norm. One might think this person doesn’t know any better, or wasn’t given corrective advice about the status of their jaw. I think **Levdrakon** had it right with the gaping thing. A mouth breather seems to be either confused or amazed at everything, since their at-rest facial expression is one that most people reserve for looking “dumbstruck”, which might have arisen from dumbfounded and awestruck. These are just my theories. Since the issue is with public perception, it’s going to have a rather unscientific basis. Public perception is often based on erroneous assumptions and stereotypes. I guess the first thing that comes to most peoples minds is that the person is simple, a disease or sinus thing probably doesn’t even enter their minds. ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665/35 "2003-07-21T05:10:29Z")
Hey **tomndebb** , > [@](#): > > …the issue is what is the source of that perception. > [@](#): > > Source is irrelevant. I must admit that these two statements have me confused. > [@](#): > > …was certainly no claim that there is some sort of direct correlation between open mouths and intelligence. > [@](#): > > Correlation is all that is needed. These two statements also have me confused. However, > [@](#): > > …I have provided some evidence for my position and have yet to see a good counter-proposal. Point taken. The truth is that I have no counter-proposal, and do not necessarily disbelieve your stance. I _do_ believe that my responses to you were more curt than I intended, and for that I apologize. I merely find it odd that such a (in my opinion) relatively innocuous trait of mental retardation would come to be used as an insult. Such is the English language. -Apoptosis [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-mouthbreathing-associated-with-stupidity/189665.md?page=1)