Taping your mouth shut while sleeping

Just a trend or does taping really help?

On the social media platform, there are always young people who tape their mouths shut with special tape or a plaster while they sleep and wake up the next day more refreshed than ever.

This raises the question: is it all just a gag?

To answer this question, we need to get to the root of the trend.

Mouth taping is supposed to promote nasal breathing and thus improve the quality of sleep. But is mouth taping really a good idea that promotes health and sleep? Or is it just a passing trend that is being pushed on social media - without any scientific evidence?

You can find answers to these questions in the following article.

What is mouth taping?

Mouth taping, i.e. taping over the mouth, looks like this: A special adhesive tape or mouth patch is stuck to the lips in such a way that you are forced to breathe through your nose while you sleep. The assumption behind this: Nasal breathing is healthier than mouth breathing.

Supporters of the trend claim that taping your mouth shut leads to a better quality of sleep, less snoring and an overall healthier sleeping situation.

This belief is based on well-known role models: Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow have popularized this alternative approach to health. The entrepreneur's positive attitude towards natural methods has inspired many of her fans to try out mouth taping. The aim: to optimize your sleep and live healthier.

But what do experts say?

Cheers to nasal breathing!

Taping your mouth shut while sleeping - before and after

The nose has numerous advantages over the mouth when it comes to breathing. Why? Because the nose and its interior perform important tasks. It filters, warms and humidifies the air flow before the air reaches the lungs. This not only protects the lungs, but also helps them to function properly.

Another benefit of nasal breathing is the regulation of oxygen and nitric oxide levels in the blood. Nasal breathing also helps to slow down breathing and make it more even, which is less stressful for the body overall.

Studies on sleeping with your mouth taped shut

Mouth taping is still a relatively new trend. Scientific studies in this area are correspondingly sparse. Direct research on the topic of 'sleeping with a taped mouth' is still relatively limited. However, there are a few pilot studies in this area that indicate potential positive effects.

The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study

The study investigated the impact of mouth taping in patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is predominantly characterized by mouth breathing. Twenty participants who were diagnosed as mouth breathers and tolerated the intervention were screened at home using the ApneaLink® sleep screening device.

The intervention consisted of closing the mouth during sleep with 3M silicone hypoallergenic tape to promote nasal breathing.

The comparison of sleep parameters before and one week after the intervention showed significant improvements: The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 8.3 to 4.7 events per hour, especially in the supine position AHI, which decreased from 9.4 to 5.5. The snoring index also decreased by 47% (from 303.8 to 121.1 events/h). In addition, the oxygen desaturation index and the lowest measured oxygen saturation improved. The improvements correlated with the baseline values.

In short and simple terms, the results suggest that mouth adhesion could be a non-invasive and effective alternative for treating mild OSA before more invasive measures such as CPAP or surgery are considered.

Nocturnal mouth-taping and social media: A scoping review of the evidence

This scoping review examined the scientific evidence on nocturnal mouth-taping and its representation in social media. Databases such as PubMed and Embase and TikTok videos were systematically searched to identify studies and popular claims.

A total of 177 studies were found, nine of which met the inclusion criteria. Two of the included studies reported significant improvements in sleep apnea metrics, with one intervention based solely on mouth taping.

Another study showed a reduction in snoring in non-OSA patients, while one study in asthma showed no benefit.

Mouth taping as an approach for better sleep

It seems clear that nasal breathing brings benefits. The question is whether mouth taping is a practicable method to promote precisely this breathing method.

There are indeed some supporting arguments in favor of mouth taping: taping the mouth forces the sleeping person to breathe only through the nose, which significantly reduces the likelihood of mouth breathing at night.

Another aspect in favor of mouth taping is that it can potentially help reduce snoring. Snoring often occurs when the airways in the throat are blocked, which is more likely to be the case with mouth breathing. If the mouth is taped shut during sleep, it could help to avoid these blockages.

However, for all its positive properties, mouth taping also harbors risks. For example, people with respiratory diseases or a blocked nose should refrain from using mouth taping, as this method can make breathing even more difficult. A possible restriction of the air supply can lead to sleep disorders or other dangerous situations.

Taping your mouth shut at night - is it worth trying?

Mouth taping could improve the quality of sleep for some people.

If you want to try mouth taping yourself, you should make sure that it is a well-tolerated tape that does not cause skin irritation or breathing problems.

In our online store you will find suitable tapes for mouth taping. Feel free to drop by.

FAQ about mouth taping

What is mouth taping?

Mouth taping is a method in which the mouth is fixed with a special, skin-friendly plaster during sleep. The aim is to promote nasal breathing and improve the quality of sleep.

Mouth taping during sleep: what are the benefits?

Taping the mouth shut before going to bed prevents the mouth from being open during sleep. This can help to reduce snoring and support a regular breathing rhythm. Many users report more restful sleep.

What do I need to watch out for with mouth taping?

Make sure you choose a product that is gentle and kind to your skin. It is important that your mouth remains securely in place at night without exerting uncomfortable pressure to ensure a comfortable sleeping experience.

Who is a mouth breather and how do they benefit from mouth taping?

A mouth breather breathes mainly through the mouth, which can affect their health in the long term. Mouth taping can correct this habit and strengthen nasal breathing in a targeted manner.