Taping your mouth at night can be detrimental to your health

Trends spread through social media often promise easy solutions to complex problems. One of them is nighttime taping of the mouth in order to combat snoring and sleep disorders. Proponents assure that in this way you can train yourself to breathe through the nose, improve the quality of sleep and even get rid of apnea. However, experts from Canada warn: not everything is so simple.

A group led by Dr. Brian Rothenberg from the University of Western Ontario analyzed a dozen scientific publications to find out whether there is a benefit from such a practice. The review included papers involving 213 people that evaluated the effects of taping the mouth or using improvised means like chin bands.

Among these materials, only two hinted at a possible positive effect in people with mild obstructive sleep apnea. The rest did not confirm that such a technique affects breathing in sleep or solves the problem of snoring. Moreover, almost half of the reviews emphasize the possible serious risks, especially in those with difficult or impossible nasal breathing.

The causes of nasal congestion can range from allergies to deviated septum, inflammatory diseases and enlarged tonsils. In such situations, taping the mouth can turn into a real threat of suffocation. And this is no longer just an inconvenience, but a reason for urgent medical consultation.

Despite its apparent simplicity, taping the mouth is not a universal solution. The authors of the review note that the current data are too scattered to draw unequivocal conclusions. The methodology lacks a convincing evidence base and requires more rigorous testing.

In conclusion, the experts emphasize: one should not blindly follow fashion, especially when it comes to health. What seems to be a harmless flyhack, in certain conditions can cause real harm. Before using any unusual methods, it is better to consult a specialist – this will save you from possible consequences.