Yes, you can sneeze through your mouth. A sneeze is an involuntary expulsion of air from your lungs, and while it often exits through both your nose and mouth, it's perfectly possible for the air to primarily escape through your mouth.
How Sneezing Works
The process begins with the activation of your abdominal and chest muscles. These muscles compress your lungs, creating a forceful blast of air. Simultaneously, the back of your tongue elevates, partially closing the passage to your mouth. This action, however, doesn't completely block the mouth; it simply directs and partially constricts the airflow. The air is subsequently expelled through both the nose and mouth. [Reference: The abdominal and chest muscles activate, compressing your lungs and producing a blast of air. Then the back of your tongue elevates, partially closing the passage to your mouth and forcing the air out through both your nose and mouth.]
Sneezing and Mouth Breathing
Several sources suggest that sneezing often involves a significant amount of air exiting through the mouth. While the nose is the primary initiator of the sneeze reflex, the force of the expelled air can't always be contained entirely within the nasal passages. If you try to completely block your mouth, the pressure from the sneeze can become quite intense. [Reference: “The caveat being that if someone tries to withhold a sneeze, this volume will be lessened and the mouth could remain closed," Moss said. and Sneezing with the mouth closed does...]
Practical Considerations
- Germs: Regardless of whether you sneeze through your nose or mouth, it's crucial to cover your nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Sneezing through the mouth can potentially lead to a wider spread of saliva droplets. [Reference: However, it is important to be aware that when you sneeze through your nose, the germs and mucus can still spread to other people or surfaces. and Using a tissue when coughing or sneezing and washing hands are effective ways to stop the spread of germs. ]
- Post-Surgery: After nasal surgery (like rhinoplasty), sneezing through your mouth is often recommended to minimize strain and pressure on the nose during recovery. [Reference: To minimize these risks, nose surgery patients can learn to sneeze through their mouth instead, contributing to a more stable recovery.]
In Summary
While a sneeze originates in the nasal passages, the forceful expulsion of air often results in air exiting through both the nose and mouth. You can sneeze through your mouth, and in certain circumstances (such as post-nasal surgery), it may even be preferable. Regardless of the exit point, covering your nose and mouth is important for hygiene.
