You’ve probably seen lots of those videos popping up on Instagram and TikTok, where content creators show off their morning routines right after they wake up. You can see them peeling off the piece of tape that kept their lips sealed all night long. This practice, known as mouth taping, has been trending on social media for nearly a year because it supposedly promotes better sleep. However, the doctors who have looked into this are clear: no, mouth taping does not improve sleep quality. Even worse, it could be dangerous for those who try it!
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Better sleep, fresher breath, a better jawline?
Encouraging nasal breathing by taping your mouth shut is the main goal of mouth taping. It’s claimed to help improve jaw shape and even oral hygiene. Because of these "benefits," some people have turned this practice into a nightly ritual. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and even Erling Haaland are said to be fans of this method. But this curious practice raises some questions.
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Is it really healthy and safe ? For Dr. Marc Rey, president of the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance, interviewed by TF1info, it's quite the opposite : « In a healthy person, we primarily breathe through the nose while sleeping. [...] Inside the nasal cavity, there are structures called turbinates. Their volume changes due to blood pressure during the night. As a result, sometimes one nostril gets blocked or even both. Automatically, you will breathe through your mouth. However, by using this method, it blocks the escape route. So, this may wake you up. »
A praised method to stop snoring
And what about snoring? The same conclusion. Blocking the mouth doesn’t help people suffering from sleep apnea to catch their breath properly. “Thus, you worsen the problem instead of solving it, ” notes the doctor. This opinion is echoed by Dr. Henri Comtet, a sleep specialist at the Strasbourg University Hospital, who was interviewed by Science et Vie: “This practice must be banned at all costs.” Health professionals emphasize that there's no scientific evidence showing any benefits to the practice of mouth taping, and in cases of sleep disorders, it’s better to seek help from specialists.
specialist doctors in the field.
