It's not better to sneeze solely through either your nose or mouth; a sneeze ideally expels air through both.
Here's a breakdown:
Why We Sneeze
- Sneezing is a bodily function to expel irritants from the nasal cavity.
How Sneezes Work
- Nasal Emphasis: As Moss stated, "The goal is to expel the irritant from the nasal cavity," making it crucial to sneeze partly through the nose. This allows the body to actively remove the irritant.
- Mouth as Support: The nasal cavity cannot handle the large volume of air involved in a sneeze. Consequently, some air must be expelled through the mouth.
The Ideal Sneeze
A sneeze should naturally occur through both the nose and mouth. Attempts to suppress a sneeze or force it out one way can be disruptive. The combination of nasal and oral expulsion ensures maximum removal of irritants and effective pressure release.
| Sneeze Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Nasal Passage | Directly expels irritants from the nasal cavity. |
| Mouth | Provides supplementary outlet for high volume air expulsion. |
Practical Insights
- Avoid Suppression: Suppressing a sneeze can cause discomfort or potential issues.
- Natural Reflex: Let the sneeze happen naturally, and it will likely use both nasal and oral routes.
