So, you've heard about mouth taping, right? No, it's not the latest fetish to hit the internet nor an act of desperate parents trying to get some peace from a chatty kid's endless questions. It's actually being touted as a revolutionary way to improve your sleep…by stopping you from breathing through your mouth. Supporters claim it's the cure to snoring, perpetual dry mouth, and even somewhat sinister sleepity disorders. However, others are justifiably concerned about willingly mimicking a captive situation as part of their bedtime regimen. So, what does science and the professionals have to say?
Mouth taping, as weird as it sounds, aims to train people to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth while in the realm of dreams. Supposed supporters draw a delightful picture of better airflow, reduced snoring, and a less parched mouth. The operative word here is "supposed," as there's an absolute dearth of scientific studies on this subject. Meaning, the Khaleesi of health hacks may not yield the same results for everyone.
Potential benefits, as indicated by anecdotal reports, make for an interesting read. Encouraging nasal breathing might amp up oxygen intake, promote a more satisfying sleep, mitigate snoring, and make you feel like a morning person (yeah right!). A minute study dangles the promise of relief for those with mild sleep apnea, a condition characterized by disturbing start-and-stop breathing during sleep.
Breathing through your mouth while sleeping can result in a dry mouth, triggering bad breath and possibly succeeding in social distancing without even trying. Not to mention, it could also damage your teeth over time. Mouth taping enthusiasts, with a passion we usually reserve for ice cream or Netflix series, argue that encouraging nasal breathing helps maintain mouth moisture and keep that dental disaster at bay.
Mouth taping, however, is not all about unicorns and rainbows. There are potential downsides like irritating your skin or even causing an allergic reaction to the tape itself. Feeling uncomfortable with a taped shut mouth is quite normal, especially for those not in the habit of breathing mainly through their nose or those with a frequent blocked nose.
Critically, mouth taping has not been scientifically validated for sleep improvement or treatment of certain medical conditions. Using it without consulting a healthcare provider risks masking serious health issues that require proper treatment. Let's not forget that people with sleep apnea could face heightened risks like heart disease and stroke if their obstructed airways are not addressed.
According to experts, people who snore or have unassessed sleep apnea, and those who breathe mainly through the mouth due to nasal congestions or structural problems, should steer clear of this practice. Mouth taping might sound fun, edgy, even easy, but remember - not everything that's shiny is gold. Always talk to a healthcare provider before trying out this 'cutting-edge' (pun totally intended) method.
