Mouth taping trend returns on social media, but experts urge caution

The viral mouth taping sleep trend has resurfaced on social media, with influencers claiming it improves sleep and reduces snoring. However, experts say scientific evidence remains limited and warn that the practice may be unsafe for people with underlying breathing or sleep disorders.

Hyderabad: A strip of tape across the mouth before bed may sound unusual, but it has once again become one of social media’s most talked-about sleep trends. The practice first went viral a couple of years ago before fading from the spotlight, but it is now making a comeback, with influencers once again promoting it as a simple way to improve sleep. They claim that mouth taping encourages nose breathing, leading to better sleep, reduced snoring, fresher breath and even a more defined jawline.

The idea behind mouth taping is simple: by gently keeping the lips closed during sleep, it encourages breathing through the nose. Nose breathing helps filter, warm and humidify the air before it reaches the lungs, and it may reduce dry mouth caused by sleeping with an open mouth.

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People on social media also claim that mouth taping can improve sleep quality, boost energy levels and even create a more defined jawline over time. However, experts say there is currently little scientific evidence to support many of these claims, and the results can vary from person to person.

While some users say the technique has helped them sleep better, others have shared very different experiences online, reporting increased anxiety, discomfort and difficulty breathing while sleeping with their mouths taped. Sleep specialists caution that mouth breathing is often a symptom of an underlying issue, such as nasal congestion, allergies or sleep apnoea. Simply taping the mouth shut does not address these conditions and, in some cases, could make breathing more difficult.

If you regularly snore, wake up feeling tired or struggle to breathe through your nose, doctors recommend seeking medical advice rather than relying on viral hacks. Like many social media wellness fads, mouth taping may sound appealing, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.