What is the Difference Between Mouth Breather and Nose Breather Face?
Mouth breathing and nose breathing significantly impact facial development. A "mouth-breather face" exhibits distinct characteristics resulting from chronic mouth breathing, while a nose breather's face develops more typically.
- Gummy smile: Excessive gum exposure due to altered jaw growth.
- Flat nose: Underdeveloped nasal structures.
- Receded chin: A smaller, less prominent chin.
- Narrow face: Overall reduction in facial width.
- Increased total facial height: A longer distance from the glabella (between the eyebrows) to the chin.
- Poor facial profile: An aesthetically less pleasing facial structure.
- Small lower jaw: Underdevelopment of the mandible.
- Dwarfed-looking mouth and droopy lips: Altered mouth and lip positioning.
These features arise because nose breathing facilitates proper facial development.
Nose Breather Face Characteristics:
Nose breathing allows for normal facial growth and development resulting in a more balanced and proportional facial structure. While there isn't a singular "nose breather face," the absence of the characteristics listed above is a key distinction. The face develops harmoniously, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound profile.
Studies show statistically significant differences in facial structures between mouth and nose breathers. For example, one study found a statistically significant difference (p=0.008, p<0.05) in facial type frequency between nasal and oral breathing males. Link to one of the referenced studies Another study notes that male mouth breathers showed longer facial soft tissues compared to their nasal-breathing counterparts. Link to another referenced study.
Conclusion
The key difference lies in the normal development fostered by nose breathing versus the altered development caused by chronic mouth breathing, leading to distinct facial features.
