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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