The hidden effect of mouth breathing on the shape of your face
Did you know that mouth breathing has much more influence on your appearance than you might think?
While most people focus on cosmetics and skincare, they miss something fundamental that can actually change the shape of their face. Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose may seem harmless, but this small difference can have far-reaching consequences for how your face develops.
From your jawline to your teeth, from your cheekbones to your facial symmetry—everything can be affected by how you breathe. In this article, you’ll discover exactly how mouth breathing works, why it has such a big impact, and what you can do about it. We dive into the science behind this phenomenon and provide practical insights to help you make more conscious choices.
How mouth breathing affects your facial shape
The relationship between mouth breathing and facial shape is more complex than you might think.
When you chronically breathe through your mouth, the natural position of your tongue and jaw changes. With normal nasal breathing, your tongue rests against the palate—this provides natural support for your upper jaw and helps with the proper development of your facial structure.
With mouth breathing, your tongue hangs low in the mouth and the palate loses this crucial support. This can lead to a narrowing of the upper jaw and a longer, narrower facial shape. The effect is especially noticeable in growing children, but adults can also experience changes.
The consequences manifest in various ways:
- Change in the height-to-width ratio of the face
- Development of a more elongated facial profile
- Reduced prominence of the cheekbones
- Change in the position of eyes and eyebrows
- Less defined jawline
Scientific research shows that people who mainly breathe through their mouths often develop a characteristic "long face syndrome." This is not just a cosmetic issue—it can also cause functional problems such as sleep apnea and jaw disorders.
The impact on jaw development and dental health
Mouth breathing is one of the most visible factors affecting your jaw development.
The jaw develops differently when your mouth is regularly open for breathing, which has direct consequences for your dental health. With normal nasal breathing, your tongue exerts pressure on the palate, which helps with the width development of your upper jaw.
This natural pressure ensures there is enough space for all your teeth and that your jaw joints develop correctly. Mouth breathing disrupts this delicate balance and can lead to problems with tooth alignment, jaw growth, and even complaints such as snoring or reduced sleep quality.
Chronic mouth breathers often struggle with:
- Narrowing of the dental arches
- Crowding of teeth
- Increased risk of cavities due to dry mouth
- Changes in the bite
- Development of an open bite
- Problems with jaw joint function
Dentists and orthodontists are noticing these patterns more frequently and clearly. They see that patients who primarily breathe through the mouth often require significantly more complex orthodontic treatments than others.
The timing of intervention is crucial. The earlier mouth breathing is addressed, the better the negative effects can be minimized. This is especially true for children between the ages of 3 and 12, when jaw growth is most active.
Sleep breathing and nocturnal mouth breathing
Mouth breathing during sleep is a particularly problematic form.
This occurs over longer, uninterrupted periods. During sleep, you have less control over your breathing patterns, which can intensify negative effects. Nocturnal mouth breathing often arises due to various factors such as nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, or structural problems.
During sleep, when your muscles are completely relaxed, your mouth can remain open for several hours. This causes continuous and constant changes in the pressure and position of facial muscles and structures. The consequences of nocturnal mouth breathing are often more pronounced because:
- The exposure is longer (6-8 hours per night)
- There is no conscious control over breathing
- Saliva production decreases
- The tongue position remains abnormal for extended periods
Facial asymmetry can develop when you consistently sleep in the same position with your mouth open. Over time, this can lead to asymmetric pressure on facial muscles and ultimately to visible differences between the left and right sides of your face. It is therefore important to be aware of your sleeping position and, if possible, to alternate to minimize these effects.
The jawline and aesthetic consequences
The effect on your jawline is one of the most striking aesthetic consequences.
The jawline, often considered an important element of facial beauty, can be significantly influenced by breathing patterns. With normal nasal breathing, your mouth remains closed and the jaw muscles work together in a natural way.
This helps maintain muscle strength and definition in the jawline. Mouth breathing disrupts this natural pattern and can lead to loss of definition, development of a double chin, and changes in the angle of the jaw.
Your jawline is not only affected by the act of breathing itself, but also by secondary effects such as changes in posture and muscle tension. People who breathe through the mouth often have a forward head posture to keep the airways open, which can affect the shape of the face and the position of the jaws in the long term.
This postural aspect has several consequences:
- Tension in neck muscles that extends to facial muscles
- Change in the position of the hyoid bone
- Influence on the entire cranio-cervical balance
- Compensatory movements that affect the jawline
Interestingly, many people who switch from mouth to nasal breathing notice changes in their jawline over time. Although structural changes cannot be completely reversed, functional improvements can indeed have visible effects. Mouth tape can support this process by helping to break the habit of mouth breathing and facilitating the transition to nasal breathing.
Professional guidance and awareness
Understanding these effects is the first step toward improvement.
Professionals in the fields of dentistry, orthodontics, speech therapy, and physiotherapy can be important partners in recognizing and addressing mouth breathing problems. A multidisciplinary approach offers the best results, with various specialists working together to tackle both the causes and the consequences.
Awareness of your own breathing patterns is crucial. Many people do not realize that they chronically breathe through their mouths, especially at night. By becoming more aware of your breathing, you can take the first steps toward improvement and prevent further negative effects on your facial shape.
