Some people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn’t
The article discusses the trend of people taping their mouths shut at night in an attempt too improve sleep quality and reduce snoring. While this practice has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, often promoted by individuals selling related products, medical experts strongly advise against it. doctors warn that taping the mouth can be risky, potentially worsening sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or even causing suffocation.
Experts emphasize that even though nasal breathing is generally better than mouth breathing-as the nose filters allergens and helps maintain oral health-using mouth tape is not a scientifically supported solution. Studies on mouth taping are few and inconclusive, showing minimal benefits. instead, doctors reccommend safer alternatives like prescription mouthpieces or CPAP machines for sleep apnea, and also lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight.
importantly,mouth breathing during sleep might indicate underlying health issues,including obstructive sleep apnea,which requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Sleep specialists advise getting a professional sleep test to understand and address the root causes rather than resorting to potentially risky remedies like mouth taping.
Some people tape their mouths shut at night. Doctors wish they wouldn’t
Having your mouth taped shut is the stuff of nightmares — but some people are doing just that to themselves. And in an attempt to sleep better, no less.
Doctors say don’t do it.
Some on social media say it’s a hack for getting more and better sleep and to reduce snoring. The claims — which are not backed by science — are taking off on places like TikTok, sometimes pushed by people working for companies selling related products.
“The studies behind mouth tape are small, the benefits are modest and the potential risks are there,” said Dr. Kimberly Hutchison, a neurologist and sleep medicine expert at Oregon Health & Science University. Some of those risks include making sleep disorders like sleep apnea worse, or even causing suffocation.
TRUMP SAYS FORMER FBI DIRECTOR WRAY HAS ‘EXPLAINING TO DO’ AFTER NEW JAN. 6 REPORT
It is better to breathe through your nose most of the time
Mouth breathing in adults is not a major health problem, but it is better to breath through your nose, experts say. Your nose is a natural filtering system, trapping dust and other allergens before they can get to your lungs.
If you’re breathing with your mouth open at night, you could wake up with a dry mouth and irritated throat, which can contribute to bad breath and oral health problems. Mouth breathing is also associated with more snoring.
Don’t rush to use mouth tape
But even though breathing through your nose is better than breathing through your mouth, taping your mouth shut isn’t the best way to fix the issue.
There’s no strong evidence it helps improve sleep. A few studies have been conducted, most of which showed little or no impact, but they were so small experts say conclusions should not be drawn from them.
And meanwhile, there are the potential dangers to be avoided.
Dr. David Schulman, a sleep doctor at Emory University, said there are other things to try, like prescription mouth pieces that can open up your airway, or a CPAP machine. If you’re a smoker or are overweight, for example, quitting smoking and losing weight can help.
Mouth breathing could be a sign of something serious — so find out
The safest approach is to figure out why exactly you are breathing with your mouth, because there could be something else going on.
You may be breathing through your mouth because you have obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep because of a blocked airway. The disorder is linked to both open mouth breathing and snoring, and is typically treated with a CPAP machine.
POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE RISE IN THE US: A TIMELINE OF KEY INCIDENTS
“The reason sleep apnea can be bad is that any decrease in the quality of sleep can affect you day to day or over the course of your life,” said Dr. Brian Chen, a sleep doctor at the Cleveland Clinic. “Depending on how bad the sleep is, you may just feel sleep deprived or require more sleep.”
The best thing to do, Emory’s Shulman says, is get a sleep test, some of which can be done at home. “It’s always better to know than not know,” he said. “And if you know that something’s going on and you choose not to pursue therapy, at least you know you’re making an educated decision.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
