On social networks, more and more people are filming themselves going to bed with a piece of tape over their lips. The aim is to encourage breathing through the nose, supposedly for a better night's sleep. In fact, this viral trend, dubbed “mouth taping,” promises restful sleep, better oral hygiene and even anti-aging benefits. But a Canadian study casts a serious shadow over the trend.
The idea of slipping into bed with your mouth taped up may raise a smile, but it's taken very seriously by influencers, celebrities and even sportspeople, like Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland. This nighttime habit, which has been getting millions of views on TikTok since the summer of 2022, is known as “mouth taping.” It's 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, on the other hand, is much more cautious. A team of Canadian researchers has studied this practice in order to scientifically evaluate its effects. Their study, published in the journal PLOS One, compiles and analyzes the results of 86 previous studies. Of these, 10 were examined in depth, representing clinical data from 213 patients. The aim was to sort online beliefs from concrete medical evidence.
It turns out that there is no evidence to support the claimed benefits of mouth taping. Worse still, the practice could have harmful effects, particularly for sleep apnea sufferers. By hindering mouth breathing, the tape can make existing 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 apnea," says study coauthor, 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. Indeed, taping your mouth shut before going to sleep may be perceived as a harmless action, when 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 really be relied upon. "We need to make health decisions based on strong scientific evidence. Our hope is that people stop taping their mouths during sleep and recognize it is dangerous," says Jess Rhee, who also contributed to the study.
In short, before giving in to the many alluring promises of viral trends, it's best to consult a health professional for advice. After all, quality sleep is unlikely to be achieved with a quick-fix solution like a Band-Aid...
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Mouth taping could have harmful effects, especially for people with sleep apnea. Photography Ridofranz / Getty Images© 
