Nighttime Mouth Taping Trend Raises Health Concerns

A recent trend circulating on social media involves individuals taping their mouths shut while sleeping to combat mouth breathing. However, new research suggests that this practice may be not only ineffective but also hazardous.

Dr. Brian Rotenberg and his team from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, conducted a systematic review of existing literature to assess the safety and efficacy of nighttime mouth taping. Their findings, published in PLOS One, evaluated ten studies involving a total of 213 patients, examining the potential benefits and risks associated with this practice.

Mouth breathing can occur when the nasal passages are obstructed, leading to various sleep-related issues, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea--a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The social media trend promoting mouth taping aims to mitigate these problems by encouraging nasal breathing.

While two of the studies included in the review indicated a marginal improvement in sleep apnea severity for a small group of participants with mild obstructive sleep apnea, the majority of the research found no substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of mouth taping in treating mouth breathing or related sleep disorders.

Moreover, four of the studies raised alarms about the significant risk of asphyxiation associated with mouth taping, particularly for individuals whose mouth breathing stems from severe nasal obstructions. Such obstructions can be caused by conditions like hay fever, chronic rhinitis, deviated septum, sinonasal disease, or enlarged tonsils.

In light of these findings, the authors concluded that the current evidence does not endorse nighttime mouth taping as a viable treatment for sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea. They also emphasized the necessity for further research, as the existing studies exhibit varied methodologies that may affect the reliability of the results.

Despite the popularity of mouth taping, often bolstered by celebrity endorsements, the authors caution that it is crucial for individuals to consider their specific health conditions before adopting such practices. They highlight that while mouth taping may seem appealing, it may not be suitable for everyone and, in some cases, could pose serious health risks.