what tape to use for mouth taping

Mouth taping refers vĩ đại the practice of taping your mouth closed at night before you fall asleep. People may try mouth taping because they believe that by forcing themselves vĩ đại breathe through the nose, they can avoid negative effects associated with mouth breathing.

How Does Mouth Taping Work?

Mouth taping involves taking porous tape and affixing it over both the upper and lower lips, so sánh a person cannot easily open their mouth. Taping the mouth shut before bedtime prompts a person vĩ đại breathe through their nose while they sleep.

Mouth taping might be beneficial as a snoring treatment. In a study of people with mild obstructive sleep apnea , wearing a porous patch over the mouth caused all the participants vĩ đại breathe through their nose, and it changed the angle of the palate and the tongue. These changes led vĩ đại significantly less snoring and fewer instances of lapsed breathing.

Researchers have not yet examined if or how mouth taping impacts snoring in people who bởi not have obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, more research is needed vĩ đại say with certainty whether mouth taping can effectively treat snoring due vĩ đại other causes.

Anecdotally, people claim mouth taping eases a variety of problems, such as snoring, fatigue, concentration issues, bad breath, and excessive thirst at night. Most of these claims have not been scientifically studied. So far, research has only demonstrated one benefit of mouth taping: a reduction in snoring and tiredness in people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Despite the fact that nose breathing filters out allergens, adds resistance that benefits lung volume, and delivers warmer, more humid air vĩ đại the lungs, studies on mouth taping for people with asthma have found no benefits. Nevertheless, proponents of mouth taping claim it may help reduce the negative effects thought vĩ đại be associated with mouth breathing, including:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms
• Sleep-disordered breathing
• Dry mouth
• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Bad breath
• Slowed growth in children
• Decreased cognitive ability

Further research on nighttime mouth taping and each of these issues is required before it can be credibly claimed that mouth taping effectively treats them.

Side effects of mouth taping have not yet been fully studied, but anecdotally reported side effects include:

• Irritation on or around the lips
• Pain when ripping off the tape, especially for those with facial hair
• Disrupted sleep due vĩ đại irritation from the tape or difficulty breathing through the nose
• Anxiety, for those who feel uncomfortable having their mouth taped shut
• Discomfort or difficulty breathing

Future research could uncover additional potential side effects related vĩ đại mouth taping.

If you decide vĩ đại try mouth taping, use a porous tape intended for use on human skin. Trying duct tape, masking tape, or another tape not intended for use on the body toàn thân might be more likely vĩ đại cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

Some companies sell adhesive strips designed vĩ đại be used for mouth taping during sleep. Most pharmacies also sell hypoallergenic tape, surgical tape, and athletic tape, which are porous and commonly used on human skin. The vast majority of people are not allergic vĩ đại medically used adhesive tapes , though some may experience irritation or other reactions vĩ đại medical tape.

Since mouth taping is not considered a commonly accepted practice, speak vĩ đại your doctor before trying it. Currently, there are no official guidelines outlining how vĩ đại mouth tape safely. Also, the risks that come with mouth taping without a doctor’s advice are unknown.

Before trying mouth taping for sleep, it is a good idea vĩ đại test the mouth strips during the day. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose due vĩ đại allergies, nasal polyps, or another reason, you should avoid mouth taping.

You can minimize irritation and leftover stickiness by applying a food-safe gel or oil vĩ đại the area around your mouth before sticking on the tape. When putting on the tape, consider folding it over at one corner for easier removal in the morning.

Alternatives vĩ đại mouth taping vary depending on why you are interested in mouth taping.

Side Sleeping

If you want vĩ đại reduce snoring, you might consider training yourself vĩ đại sleep on your side instead of taping your mouth. Decades of research demonstrate that both people with and without obstructive sleep apnea snore less when they side sleep instead of back sleep.

To make switching sleep positions more comfortable, you may want vĩ đại consider purchasing a new mattress and pillow. The ideal bed setup promotes spinal alignment and reduces pressure points as you lie in your most common sleep position.

Nasal Strips

Nasal strips provide another option for snoring reduction. Nasal strips are adhesive devices placed on the nose vĩ đại expand the nasal passage and encourage nose breathing. Studies of nasal strips have produced mixed results, with some showing an improvement in snoring and some showing no effect.

Treating Allergies and Asthma

Around 25% of people in westernized countries experience an allergic reaction vĩ đại substances they breathe in, such as pollen. This reaction often involves nasal congestion, which can make breathing through the nose more difficult. If you have allergies and find yourself mouth breathing at night, try treating your allergies vĩ đại see if that helps you breathe more comfortably through the nose.

Similarly, people who live with asthma should work with a doctor vĩ đại control symptoms by avoiding triggers and using medication where appropriate.

Practicing Good Oral Hygiene

Mouth taping interests some people because of promises that it can cure bad breath. An oral hygiene routine that includes regular tooth brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, and gargling with mouthwash can also help protect against bad breath .

Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene

Some people claim mouth taping reduces daytime tiredness. There are multiple other sleep hygiene habits that can help you obtain the sleep you need, such as:

• Going vĩ đại sleep and waking up at the same time each day
• Sleeping in a room that is không tính tiền from light and noise
• Avoiding looking at screens before sleep
• Skipping alcohol and caffeine in the hours before bed
• Exercising regularly

In some instances, people interested in mouth taping might benefit from seeking medical help instead. Consider making an appointment with your primary care physician if you:

• Have a sleep disorder or think you might have a sleep disorder
• Experience severely bad breath
• Have a child that breathes primarily through their mouth

Sleep disorders are conditions that require professional diagnosis and treatment rather phàn nàn trang chủ remedies. Trying mouth taping instead of visiting your doctor could delay the start of important treatment.

Xem thêm: ombre locs

Similarly, extreme bad breath could be due vĩ đại an issue other phàn nàn mouth breathing. For example, people can experience severe bad breath as a result of cavities, underlying sinus infections, and digestive problems lượt thích ulcers. Visits vĩ đại your doctor and dentist can help you identify and treat potential underlying medical or dental issues.

It is also important vĩ đại see your doctor if your child has an issue with mouth breathing. Mouth breathing may slow growth in children, so sánh it may require medical attention. Mouth taping in children has not been studied and should not be tried.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

References

13 Sources