This nighttime habit, which has been getting millions of views on TikTok since 2022, is known as mouth taping. It has been credited with a host of virtues, from reduced snoring to improved oxygenation and a fresher complexion.
In short, it’s touted as a simple, affordable miracle solution – or so it seems.
The scientific community, however, is much more cautious: Canadian researchers have examined this practice to scientifically evaluate its effects. Their study, published in the journal PLOS One, compiles and analyses the results of 86 previous studies – 10 of which, representing clinical data from 213 patients, were studied in depth.
Their aim? To sort online beliefs from concrete medical evidence.
As it turns out, there is no evidence to support the claimed benefits of mouth taping. In fact, the practice could have harmful effects, particularly for sleep apnoea sufferers. By hindering mouth breathing, the tape can make sleep-disordered breathing worse, and cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop dangerously, especially in the event of nasal obstruction.
“Our research shows that taping the mouth shut during sleep is dangerous, especially among those who may not be aware they have sleep apnoea,” said study co-author Dr Brian Rotenberg. “These individuals are unknowingly making their symptoms worse and putting themselves at greater risk for serious health complications like heart disease.”
What worries the scientific community most is the speed at which this trend is spreading – without medical validation. While taping your mouth shut before going to sleep may be perceived as a harmless action, it actually presents real risks.
The researchers are, therefore, urging caution, reminding everyone that, in the face of pseudo-wellness advice posted online, only genuine medical expertise should be relied upon.
“We need to make health decisions based on strong scientific evidence,” said researcher Jess Rhee, who contributed to the study. “Our hope is that people stop taping their mouths during sleep and recognise it is dangerous.”