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Low quality sleep -

The premise of mouth tape is a relatively new one. But the perils of mouth breathing were recognized in ancient traditional medicine. Chief among them is the interruption caused to the body's air supply, providing lower quality sleep.

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Mouth breathing -

Mouth breathing during sleep can lead to snoring and disrupted sleep patterns, impacting overall sleep quality and health.

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Mouth breathing -

Not to mention that it can lead to decreased oxygen uptake, potentially impacting overall respiratory and cardiovascular health.

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Facial development -

And prolonged mouth breathing in children can potentially lead to changes in facial and dental development, such as a narrow palate and crowded teeth.

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Taping the mouth shut? -

Although it might sound extreme, using mouth tape is one way to encourage less snoring. A small piece of tape is applied to the lips, encouraging nasal breathing.

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Sleep apnea -

Mouth opening/breathing during sleep is common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is associated with water loss and a higher risk of night-time heart attack.

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Nasal breathing -

It's claimed mouth tape can help promote nasal breathing, which is important for optimal oxygen uptake and overall respiratory health.

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Dry mouth -

Mouth tape is supposed to help prevent dry mouth by reducing the evaporation of saliva during sleep, leading to improved oral health.

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Bad breath -

Dry mouth may lead to bad breath and an increased risk of oral health issues, such as gingivitis, gum disease, and malocclusion.

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Reduced snoring -

A big cause of a interrupted sleep, or being unable to get back to sleep, can be caused by the snoring of a significant other.

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Reduced snoring -

Mouth taping might potentially aid in reducing snoring, as it encourages proper breathing through the nose during sleep.

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Mouth muscles -

Mouth taping could be beneficial for individuals undergoing myofunctional therapy to improve oral muscle function and coordination.

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Restful sleep -

Mouth taping might aid in improving overall sleep hygiene and promoting relaxation during sleep. A restful sleep means better mood and energy levels throughout the day.

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Allergies and congestion -

Mouth taping may help individuals who have trouble maintaining nasal breathing during sleep due to congestion or allergies.

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Dental health -

It may assist in maintaining proper oral posture, potentially reducing the risk of dental issues and promoting overall oral health.

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Application -

To prevent any potential breathing difficulties, when you're applying the tape you must ensure that it goes on correctly and does not obstruct the nostrils.

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Application -

It's important to monitor the use of mouth tape, especially in the initial stages, to ensure that it does not cause any discomfort or breathing disruptions during sleep.

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Trying it out -

Each person's unique health circumstances and sleep patterns should be taken into account before using mouth tape. Consult with a health professional before trying it out, especially if you have breathing health issues.

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Research -

So far, there is very little research to back up the claims made about mouth taping. Therefore, we can't truly know its effectiveness.

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Skin sensitivity -

People with highly sensitive skin should be cautious when using adhesive products, as they may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions.

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Difficulty breathing -

For individuals with certain respiratory conditions or compromised airways, mouth taping could potentially exacerbate breathing difficulties and should be approached with caution.

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Reduced oxygen saturation -

For people with severe sleep apnea, mouth taping could make things worse. If the oxygen saturation of the blood drops too low when the mouth is taped, it can lead to mouth puffing.

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Reduced oxygen saturation -

Mouth puffing happens when someone tries to breathe through their mouth, despite the tape being there.

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Dry lips -

Mouth taping could possibly cause irritation on or around the lips, particularly when removing the tape in the morning.

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Treatment options -

If mouth breathing is something you're worried about, you might want to reach out to your doctor before trying mouth taping, to uncover the treatment options available.

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Quit smoking and alcohol -

Consumption of alcohol or being a smoker will put you at a higher risk of sleep apnea. To prevent this, quit smoking and reduce/limit alcohol consumption.

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Weight loss -

Being overweight can put you at a higher risk of mouth breathing, as it's more difficult to breathe deeply. Losing weight, and regular exercise, might help you regulate your breathing.

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Side sleeping -

Sleeping on your side helps encourage nasal breathing, making you a lot less likely to end up mouth breathing than if you sleep on your back.

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Allergy treatment -

If you breathe through your mouth due to allergies, finding an effective treatment for those particular allergies might be a better long-term strategy than using mouth tape.

Sources: (Forbes Health) (Cleveland Clinic) (CNN) (The New York Times)

See also: What you sleep position says about your personality

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