Is mouth taping dangerous? A new study says this is possible

Many of the TikTok videos promoting mouth tape claim that it can improve your breathing and oral health and even reduce the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition characterized by abnormal breathing during sleep. But doctors warn that this practice is not safe if you are naturally prone to mouth breathing while sleeping due to things like nasal congestion, undiagnosed OSA, airway obstruction, or other inflammatory conditions.

These concerns were highlighted in a recent study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The non-randomized clinical trial followed 54 people with OSA during drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Researchers evaluated their airflow when their mouth was open versus closed. In 12 of the 54 participants, inhalation airflow was significantly reduced with a closed mouth. They also found a link between velopharyngeal obstruction (i.e. weakened tissue between the nasal and oral cavities) and reduced airflow when the mouth was closed.

Other than this finding, studies on the benefits of overnight mouth taping are limited, especially with regard to OSA. Here’s what you need to know about your personal risk with mouth tape if you’re considering trying this trend.

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Is mouth tape dangerous?

If you can breathe easily through your nose while lying down, and you have no symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (loud snoring, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, daytime drowsiness), then feel free to try mouth taping. Still, it’s best to have your sinuses checked by your doctor first, to make sure you don’t have undiagnosed obstructions, a deviated septum, or even mild OSA, which is associated with an increased risk of lower oxygen levels and developmental disorders. such as high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems and heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Worth noting: A small 2015 study found that open-mouth sleepers with mild sleep apnea may benefit from using porous tape (i.e., tape with holes) over their mouths while sleeping, to reduce the intensity and frequency of snoring and apnea to reduce. But more research needs to be done to fully determine whether mouth tape is completely effective.

If your doctor gives you the “all clear,” mouth taping may help you breathe through your nose, which some studies show can help prevent that annoying dry mouth feeling when you wake up, according to Henry Ford Health. But if you’re doing it to get a tighter jawline or fewer facial wrinkles? The jury is still out on whether this works.

That said, if you are someone who snores or has trouble breathing through your nose as soon as your head hits the pillow (whether due to allergies, congestion, a deviated septum, or other health issues), talk to your doctor before starting any kind of trend. tries. like mouth tape. Your doctor or a sleep specialist can assess you for things like OSA or other sleep problems and make sure you’re treated appropriately with clinically supported options, such as mouth guards, hypoglossal nerve stimulators or even minor procedures to open your airways, according to the study.

Ultimately, mouth taping is not for everyone, despite what TikTok promotes. If you are concerned about breathing problems during sleep, it is best to consult a doctor.