Mouth-taping — where individuals tape their mouths shut before sleep to encourage nasal breathing — has gained popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms.
It’s promoted as a remedy for snoring, sleep apnea, and even general sleep improvement.
Scientific Review Findings:
A 2024 review of 10 clinical studies examined the efficacy and safety of this practice.
The findings revealed minimal to no consistent evidence that mouth-taping provides significant benefits for conditions like snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The studies often had small sample sizes, lacked long-term data, and varied in methodology.
Potential Risks Identified:
Breathing Obstruction: Especially for people with undiagnosed or moderate-to-severe OSA, taping the mouth could worsen oxygen deprivation during sleep.
Panic or Anxiety: Some users report feeling claustrophobic or anxious.
Skin Irritation: Prolonged taping may cause rashes or allergies around the mouth area.
Expert Consensus:
Organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine caution against self-experimenting with unproven TikTok trends.
They recommend CPAP therapy or medical consultation for diagnosed sleep apnea rather than relying on DIY solutions like mouth-taping.
Mouth-taping — where individuals tape their mouths shut before sleep to encourage nasal breathing — has gained popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms.
It’s promoted as a remedy for snoring, sleep apnea, and even general sleep improvement.
Scientific Review Findings:
A 2024 review of 10 clinical studies examined the efficacy and safety of this practice.
The findings revealed minimal to no consistent evidence that mouth-taping provides significant benefits for conditions like snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The studies often had small sample sizes, lacked long-term data, and varied in methodology.
Potential Risks Identified:
Breathing Obstruction: Especially for people with undiagnosed or moderate-to-severe OSA, taping the mouth could worsen oxygen deprivation during sleep.
Panic or Anxiety: Some users report feeling claustrophobic or anxious.
Skin Irritation: Prolonged taping may cause rashes or allergies around the mouth area.
Expert Consensus:
Organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine caution against self-experimenting with unproven TikTok trends.
They recommend CPAP therapy or medical consultation for diagnosed sleep apnea rather than relying on DIY solutions like mouth-taping.
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