4 Benefits of Mouth Taping For Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for so many reasons. Believe me on this one, my fellow insomniacs. Lack of sleep has the potential to negatively impact your productivity and mood, and can even contribute to many health issues. Over the years, I have personally expereienced several side-effects of sleep deprivation, especially since I reached my 40's..

If you’re experiencing sleep problems, you’re not alone. Millions of people struggle with insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep-related issues. I’ve had my fair share of sleep struggles. As a result, I’ve tried what feels like hundreds of different tips, tricks, hacks, and products to get a better night’s rest.

Let me tell you: there are a lot of sleep hacks out there promising improved sleep. Even these incredibly comfortable Soma pajamas can only do so much to help. Changing my diet and using this neti pot every evening definitely helped improve my allergy symptoms and helped reduce nighttime snoring. But, what about snoring that isn’t caused by allergy-induced congestion? 

For this post, I want to talk about one of the more… intriguing… hacks: mouth taping. Supposedly there are several benefits of mouth taping, but is it safe? Let’s get into it!

4 Benefits of Mouth Taping For Sleep

Mouth taping seems to be all over social media these days. Ads for mouth tape targeted at loud snorers, mouth breathers, and sleep-deprived individuals pop up on my feed multiple times daily. The practice has even caught the attention of sleep medicine specialists.

Despite my ability to fall asleep anywhere, I struggle with staying asleep and waking up feeling rested. I was intrigued by mouth tape so I decided to learn more about it. I’ll share what I learned and whether I think it might be worth trying.

Mouth taping can have plenty of benefits for sleep, but what exactly does it involve? Before you reach for the nearest roll of tape, let’s dive into the actual benefits of mouth taping to better understand this latest trend.

What Is Mouth Taping?

Mouth taping is the practice of taping your mouth shut, by placing porous tape vertically across your closed lips before falling asleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s meant to help prevent mouth-breathing and snoring and encourage breathing through your nose. 

Mouth breathing can cause snoring, as well as dry mouth, and bad breath. Not to mention it can disturb your bed partner who also wants to sleep! 

Breathing through your nose is preferable because as air moves through your nasal cavity, it’s warmed, humidified, and filtered. Nasal breathing activates your body’s stress-reducing and relaxing parasympathetic nervous system.

There hasn’t been a lot of research on mouth taping and its effectiveness, but a few small studies showed promising results.

A small pilot study of 30 people with mild sleep apnea found that wearing adhesive patches over their mouths during sleep for three nights slightly reduced the intensity of their snoring, as reported by each person’s bed partner.

In another study, 20 mouth breathers with mild sleep apnea wore mouth tape while sleeping. Thirteen reported that they snored less intensely with the tape compared to sleeping without it.

Is Mouth Taping For Sleep Safe?

Taping your mouth shut restricts your ability to take full, deep breaths. The tape can also cause skin irritation, an allergic reaction, acne breakouts, or a rash from the tape. You should never use duct tape or any other kind of tape that isn’t meant for your body, for any reason.

There are several things to consider before practicing mouth taping. If you or your bed partner notice symptoms like snoring, gasping for air, or breathing while sleeping that stops and starts again, you might have obstructive sleep apnea. Additional symptoms include daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, headaches, and frequent waking up to use the bathroom. In this case, it’s imperative to talk to your doctor. Mouth taping isn’t a substitute treatment for sleep apnea. 

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems down the road and needs to be treated with the help of a sleep specialist. 

In my case, several factors contribute to my sleep troubles. Most recently, perimenopause has made it even harder to get a good night’s rest. If perimenopause, or another health condition, is to blame for your lack of sleep, you can talk to your doctor about ways to relieve your symptoms. 

Mouth taping isn’t for everyone. If you have a hard time breathing through your nose, you shouldn’t attempt mouth taping. Things like nasal polyps and deviated septums can make it hard to breathe through your nose. In this case, you may want to consider seeing an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.

To mouth tape safely, only use tape designed for this specific purpose. If you’re at all worried, you can also talk to your doctor about taping for sleep before trying it for the first time.

4 Mouth Taping Benefits

Better breath.

Mouth breathing can cause dry mouth, which then often causes bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis, can occur when there’s a lack of saliva in your mouth. Mouth taping helps to prevent dry mouth and therefore bad breath by encouraging you to breathe through your nose instead. 

Reduced snoring.

One of the major benefits of mouth taping is its ability to reduce snoring. Taping your mouth shut while you sleep forces you to breathe through your nose. 

Reduced allergy symptoms.

As mentioned earlier, when you breathe through your nose, the air is filtered and humidified. Mouth taping forces you to breathe through your nose, which means you might notice an improvement in your allergy symptoms. 

Decreased risk of gum disease. 

Taping your mouth shut while you sleep allows for proper saliva production, which is important for flushing out bacteria. Saliva helps to prevent lingering bad bacteria that would otherwise accumulate in your mouth, causing an unpleasant odor.

How To Do Mouth Taping

Step 1: Talk to your doctor

Before trying mouth taping, discuss it with your doctor. It’s important to assess any potential risks and side effects, as well as benefits, to determine if mouth taping is right for you.

Step 2: Apply the tape

Apply the mouth tape while upright, right before going to sleep. Take a moment before lying down to get used to breathing through your nose. 

To apply, follow the instructions on the packaging of your mouth tape. Or,  if you’re using medical-grade tape, simply apply a small piece of tape vertically across the center of your lips. (No need for a long strip of tape or to apply horizontally. One small strip is enough.)

Step 3: Sleep

Go to sleep and see how mouth taping works for you. The tape should be removed upon waking in the morning. 

Step 4: Assess

Ask your bed partner if they noticed any changes in your snoring and mouth breathing. If you don’t have a bed partner, consider journaling your feelings about mouth taping each day. If it works for you, repeat the practice nightly.

My Experience With Mouth Taping

I began mouth taping in 2020, when I was not only struggling to stay asleep, but my WHOOP tracker was showing I wasn't getting quality deep sleep. My husband had learned about mouth taping from some fitness/wellness podcast he listens to and we decided to try it. Doing a bit of research on the best product for mouth taping, I ordered a box of Dr. Johnes Advanced Mouth Tape.

I liked the idea of a product specifically for mouth taping, and I liked the vent to be able to breathe. As someone who has death with a stuffy nose and allergies all her life, I envisioned myself suffocating while sleeping unable to rip mouth tape off fast enough to gulp in air.

The first night, I ripped that mouth tape off before midnight. I did feel as though I was suffocating and as though mouth taping wasn't safe. My husband, who already has a detailed sleep routine with his favorite eye mask, ear plugs, and even a grounding bracelet wasn't phased by adding a sealed mouth to the process. When I saw his WHOOP sleep score was in the 90's (with 100 being a perfect night of recovery) I was motivated to try it again.

The next night, I got until around 3am before I ripped off the mouth tape. The following night I didn't even remember removing the mouth tape but I woke with it stuck to the top of my hand instead of my face. But within a week, I not only was sleeping through the night without removing the mouth tape, I was getting better sleep. AND I found my nose less stuffed up!

Once we finished the box of Dr. Johnes mouth tape we decided to research alternatives that may be cheaper and lower waste. I found that Nexcare medical tape was highly recommended, and easily found at local grocery and drug stores. Whether it's Nexcare's paper tape, which is easily found at most stores, or the pain-free tape, which is a bit harder to find but always in stock at our local CVS and on Amazon, this was just as effective, cheaper, and more versatile. The pain-free tape does hold on better when you're all slathered up with skincare and lip products.

I have now been mouth taping almost every night for over two years. I have found the quality of my sleep has improved, and my nasal breathing has improved in general.

• I am not as stuffed up, but I am nose breathing during the day more often, taking deeper breaths, and even being able to work out and exert effort while still breathing through my nose. I tried doing an entire Peloton bike ride breathing through my nose and I got through almost 20 minutes before I felt I needed to gasp and pant with my mouth.
• My WHOOP scores for sleep improved. I do still have “red” and “yellow” nights of sleep, but fewer times waking, and in general I have more REM and SWS sleep each evening.
• My husband says my snoring has reduce exponentially, and some nights I am so silent he checks to see if I am still breathing. I now pack mouth tape for all travel, knowing this is a way I can be a more enjoyable travel partner, not snoring up a storm when we share rooms, tents, or a small rental space.

What Tape To Use For Mouth Taping

Dr. Johnes Advanced Mouth Tape for Sleeping

Dr. Johnes mouth tape is specifically designed for mouth taping while sleeping. This tape is surprisingly comfortable to wear and easy to apply. Each strip contains an adhesive that is strong enough to hold the tape in place, without leaving any residue upon removal. I have personally used this and find it doesn't cause breakouts, is comfortable, but will peel off if you are well lotioned and potioned for your nighttime skincare routine.

Skyloa Mouth Tape for Sleeping

Skyloa Mouth Tape for Sleeping is a highly-rated product made from soft and non-irritating materials. Each flexible strip is designed to stay in place all night long, without irritating your skin. I have not personally tried Skyloa, but know folks who have and like it.

Nexcare Strong Hold Pain-Free Removal Tape

Nexcare Strong Hold Pain-Free Removal Tape is water-resistant medical tape that will stay secured for up to 48 hours, yet is gentle enough for sensitive skin. Many reviewers report successful mouth taping with this tape. It comes in a roll that can be cut to ensure a perfect fit for mouth taping. 

This is what my husband and I finally decided to use for mouth taping, and we find it the easiest and most effective. It's the tool for mouth taping that stays in place even if I put on my night cream and oils and lip mask. I also haven't dealt with any breakouts at the taped area, which I know some have experienced with tape made specifically for mouth taping.

My husband uses a long strip, folding over each edge, having it go across the entire mouth and lips. I personally like a shorter piece that just holds my lips together but if I need to breathe, cough, etc. I have the edges of my mouth still available to breathe through my mouth. The amount of tape you use on your mouth doesn't seem to affect the results from mouth taping.

What are your thoughts on mouth taping?

I’d love to know your thoughts on mouth taping. Have you tried it or are you considering trying it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

For more ways to get a better night's sleep, check out my post 14+ Tips For The Best Night’s Sleep. And, as always, see what's else on the blog for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips and inspiration.