“I recently started sleeping with my mouth taped and if you don’t do it you should because it’s life changing. I feel more rested when I wake up,” declared actress Emma Roberts to Vogue US last summer. “I sleep with duct tape and earplugs”entrusted the popess of well-being Gwyneth Paltrow to AirmailAnglo-Saxon digital media specializing in the art of living, in November 2024. All it took was for the web to catch fire and for the Google search “mouth tape” or “oral taping” to become completely viral. Today, on TikTok, many Internet users and influencers claim to tape their mouths during the night. But what is it for, is it really effective, and above all, is this practice safe?
According to fans of adhesive tape on the mouth, it prevents breathing through this orifice and allows you to have “the deepest sleep you have ever experienced”. “It’s a little uncomfortable at first and you have to get used to it”however, concedes @lexfiish, whose video garnered nearly half a million likes.
“The best sleep of your life” and a more defined jawline?
“Breathing through your mouth contributes to a multitude of problems, including bad breath, gum disease, cavities, brain fog and a weakened immune system – there are many more. And most people, myself included, breathe through their mouth at night. Taping your mouth before going to bed helps prevent this completely and I’m not kidding, you’ll have the best sleep of your entire life. I can’t sleep without it anymore, but I have to remind you to get real duct tape for your mouth, not just regular duct tape over your mouth,” assures @isabelle.lux.
In addition, this technique would have the advantage of sculpting the face. She can help you with your facial structure so you can achieve a sharper, more defined jawline,” promet @karenedikanxo.
“Since I started taping my mouth about two weeks ago, not only has my facial structure completely improved, but I’m getting eight hours of quality sleep, I no longer snore and I am generally able to sleep better”, adds @mindfulhealthchels.
“There is very little data on its effectiveness”
But what do the experts say? “This technique is used with the aim of encouraging nasal breathing, which is believed to offer potential health benefits such as reduced snoring, improved allergy symptoms and fresher breath. It should be noted that the purported benefits of mouth taping are largely anecdotal, as only a few small scientific experiments have been conducted on this practice so far. explains to Mr Pavol Surda, ENT consultant and rhinological surgeon based at London Bridge Hospital, at Glamour UK. “There is very little data on its effectiveness”adds Dr. Michael Breus, PHD and founder of TheSleepDoctor.com
“The mouth binder physically prevents the mouth from opening during sleep, which encourages the person to breathe through their nose. Nasal breathing is considered more beneficial than mouth breathing, as it promotes adequate filtration, humidification and warming of the air, which can lead to improvement in overall respiratory function,” explains Mr. Surda.
“In many cases, mouth bandaging can help clear congestion and if you suffer from snoring related to mouth breathing it can be helpful, but you need to be careful,” insists Dr Breus.
What precautions should you take?
“You should never use a mouth patch if someone suspects you have sleep apnea (…) No one should tape their mouth shut in case they need to take a full breath in the middle of the night,” alert the doctor.
Among the possible symptoms of sleep apnea (one in ten people worldwide): snoring, restless sleep, nighttime breathing problems, fatigue when waking up, drowsiness during the day, etc.
If you are not concerned and absolutely want to try the adhesive tape technique, do not use normal tape! In addition to blocking airflow, it will tear the skin off your lips, experts warn. Turn to special “skin” or “micropore” breathable “tape”, like MyoTape, for example.
And even if you choose suitable oral tape, remember that it cannot “not suitable for everyone ». “It carries certain risks, such as difficulty breathing if you have a blocked or congested nose, increased risk of choking or asphyxiation, and potential skin irritation from the adhesive,” insists M. Surda.
What are the possible alternatives?
Also, before turning to this option, experts invite you to first try other alternatives or to “consult a health professional”. If you suffer from chronic sleep problems, they may refer you to a sleep clinic where specialists will carry out appropriate tests.
In the meantime, if you suffer from snoring, you can always try sleeping on your side to reduce the phenomenon. Avoid additional heaters in winter. These tend to dry out the air and cause respiratory problems that are harmful to the quality of sleep. Buy a humidifier or air purifier to improve its quality. Finally, avoid eating too heavy and fatty foods in the evening, forget about stimulants like tea, coffee or alcohol and make sure your room is sufficiently cool (18 degrees Celsius) and ventilated before going to bed.
Source: www.topsante.com
