Find out how mouth taping can give you a better night’s sleep
You probably haven’t heard it here first; mouth taping is a common remedy used to treat problems associated with mouth breathing during sleep. It’s a practice that involves applying a small strip of tape to seal the lips and encourage nocturnal nose breathing. Perhaps you’ve tried mouth taping as a part of your sleep treatment journey. But does taping your mouth at night really help you sleep better? Or is mouth taping a fad that needs to be put to bed? Pardon the pun.
First, let’s find out; how does mouth taping work?
During the day most people tend to breath naturally through their nose. As day turns to night and one goes to bed, it’s common for nose breathing to switch to mouth breathing. Whether it’s due to habit or reduced muscle tension in the jaw causing the mouth to remain open during sleep, mouth breathing enables the body to easily inhale its supply of oxygen. Along with it, potential sleep problems related to asthma and snoring may come along for the midnight ride. The theory of mouth taping claims that sealing the lips with a small piece of medical grade tape will leave the nose as the sole source of breath while eliminating nose breathing related issues.
What are the benefits of mouth taping?
Nothing against mouth breathing if that’s the best available option for you, but nose breathing truly is the elite form of breathing. When you breathe through your nose as a result of mouth taping, nose breathing helps to:
- Keep the nostrils lubricated to prevent sinuses from drying out
- Make the air you breath more humid, which can improve symptoms of asthma
- Balance the pH levels in the mouth to prevent dental issues like decay and gingivitis
- Increase nitric oxide intake, which is vital for brain function and cardiovascular health
- Decrease your chance of snoring
Are there any risks or side effects of mouth taping?
Due to a lack of clinical studies, the benefits of mouth taping are purely anecdotal. They’re based on personal accounts and experiences rather than scientific evidence. With that being said, the risks and side effects of mouth taping are reasonably low.
When you try mouth taping, remember that you’re closing off the mouth as a source of breath. So, you should avoid this method if you are suffering from nasal congestion, allergies, or any illness that’s going to restrict your nose breathing. Also, be sure to check in with your doctor regarding the risk of mouth taping causing skin irritations, sticky residue around your mouth, or further sleep disru