Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Aditi Gangal
Quick Take
A video on social media claims taping mouth while sleeping will help you sleep better. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A TikTok video shared on YouTube shows a woman claiming that taping the mouth is good for better sleep. The woman claims the process can improve other health conditions like bad breath, cavities, and brain fog.
Fact Check
What are the benefits of nasal breathing?
Nasal breathing is a better way of breathing than mouth because the processhumidifies the air and activates the lower lungs to help you take deeper and fuller breaths. It can also help your body relax to ease into sleep comfortably.
Breathing through the nose also filters out dust and pathogens to help defend against infection and allergies.
A Research published in 1996 informs that the sinuses produce nitric oxide when people breathe air through the nose. Nitric oxide reaches blood through nasal sinuses and lungs to help lower blood pressure.
Are there any proven benefits of mouth-taping?
More evidence is needed. Despite being popular on social media, mouth taping for better sleep has not been studied extensively. We could not find any research done on healthy people that can show the benefits of mouth taping.
Scant research on people suffering from sleep apnea shows taping their mouth improve their sleep quality.
Is mouth-taping safe?
Not for everyone. The available research is mostly done on people suffering from sleep apnea. No research has fully explored the benefits of mouth taping on healthy individuals.
Dr Kashyap Dakshini, General Physician in Mumbai informs, “Taping the mouth can restrict the ability to take complete deep breaths and the safety has not been studied sufficiently. If a person tends to snore or has any obstruction while sleeping, then the possibility of sleep apnea should be evaluated, for which one should consult the doctor.”
It seems if someone struggles to breathe through the nose, it is better not to try mouth taping.
Besides this, if someone regularly snores or always wakes up tired, it is better to consult a physician rather than try mouth taping.
Is tape on the mouth while sleeping recommended?
More evidence is needed. Some research papers recommend using a tape that will not harm the skin.
Dr Kashyap further informs “There is no sufficient documented evidence to support the benefits of mouth taping, and no specific scientific recommendation for the same.”
No evidence shows that minimal tweaks using a piece of tape can radically transform health. There is no one easy way to fix your sleep.
Fake claims promoting ways to sleep better are common on social media. THIP MEDIA has previously debunked sleeping with socks on a bad thing and proved it false. In another fact check, we refuted the claim that sleeping without a pillow is beneficial for body posture.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
