Doctor classifies the TikTok trend "Mouth taping is potentially dangerous"

Influencers have been taping their mouths shut while sleeping on TikTok for a while now. Athletes and celebrities also swear by it. A sleep expert explains what's behind the mouth taping trend.

We know that restful sleep is important. But the idea that we should tape our mouths shut to help us relax at night is new to many.

Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow (51) and super athletes such as professional footballer Erling Haaland (23) have been preaching about this trend for some time now.

And of course, influencers on TikTok are also reporting that they are taping their mouths shut so that they can only breathe through their noses when they sleep.

Mouth taping fans claim they sleep better

While most people resort to ordinary adhesive tape, there are now special prefabricated products on the market. The mouth patches are available in all shapes and colors, decorated with stars or plain as lips.

The videos of mouth taping fans promise to improve sleep by forcing people to breathe through their nose. You would also snore less, could even lose weight or concentrate better during the day.

Neurologist Schäuble: "Mouth taping can be dangerous"

However, Barbara Schäuble, head physician for neurological rehabilitation at the Zurich rehabilitation centers, warns against the miracle cure mouth plaster: "There is not enough data that mouth tapping could be beneficial, and it can be potentially dangerous."

There is currently no conclusive data in favor of taping the mouth at night - especially in healthy people.

Although there are a few small studies investigating the potential benefits of mouth taping, the results are not conclusive. As Schäuble explains, the potential benefits of this method have been investigated for years, particularly in various clinical conditions - for example in a small study with people with asthma, where no clinical benefit could be shown.

Recently, a study on snoring and mild sleep apnoea - sudden pauses in breathing during sleep - was also carried out. It showed a slight improvement in snoring and apnea, but this could not be confirmed in a further study.

Mouth breathing would not simply "go away" by taping the mouth. As the neurologist emphasizes, it often happens that the patient opens their mouth at night to breathe against the tape.

Mouth taping could be dangerous, as "mouth breathing is an emergency solution". "If you can't breathe through your nose while you sleep, your mouth opens automatically so that you can take in the air you need. If you vomit or have acid reflux while your mouth is taped shut, the contents of your stomach can enter your lungs," Schäuble emphasizes.

"Nasal breathing offers health benefits"

But it's true: "Nasal breathing offers many health benefits that mouth breathing does not," says Barbara Schäuble.

For example, the nose filters, warms and humidifies the air as it flows through the nasal cavities. This filtering process retains certain particles in the nose, which prevents certain microbes or allergens from entering the body. "This in turn can reduce the risk of colds, allergic reactions or flu."

Both adults and children are affected by mouth breathing. It is estimated that around ten to 25 percent of children regularly breathe through their mouths.

Schäuble adds: "People who breathe through their mouth rather than their nose have a higher risk of developing sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. Children who mouth breathe are more likely to have dental problems such as misaligned teeth and facial differences."

Clarification by an ENT specialist or sleep physician

There are various reasons for mouth breathing, such as nasal congestion or a deviated nasal septum.

Although nasal breathing has many advantages, mouth adhesives in the sleep routine are "not a safe method" for improving it.

The expert advises having disturbed mouth breathing examined by a specialist such as an ENT doctor or a sleep physician.

Disturbing nocturnal snoring should also be examined by a doctor so that the symptoms can be treated if necessary, instead of trying to alleviate the symptoms with adhesive mouth tape.

And finally, Schäuble says: "Regardless of whether it is snoring, dry mouth or a sleep-related breathing disorder, underlying illnesses should be treated effectively and safely."

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