Taping your mouth to sleep better is nonsensical, don't do it

Taping your mouth to sleep better is nonsensical, don't do it (Photo: iStock)

Social media platforms have become popular in promoting aspects of health. In many cases, what gets promoted is beneficial. But in other cases, so-called influencers tend to promote aspects of health that are questionable at best, and potentially harmful. It is no wonder that there has been a craze about how you could improve your sleep by taping your mouth shut when you hit the sack! 

Hold on, how is the practice of taping up your mouth meant to improve sleep? The purported benefits being touted are rooted in exclusively breathing through your nose whilst asleep. The benefits claimed range from improving snoring to reducing episodes of sleep apnea (not breathing at all for brief moments). There are even outrageous claims that mouth taping will make your nose and jaw look better. It is no wonder Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists have been appalled by such claims.