Mouth Taping Trend Sparks Debate: Experts Warn of Risks and Safer Alternatives

In the last few days a huge discussion has been initiated by influencers on TikTok, promoting the endless benefits of mouth taping. Mouth taping has been touted as a panacea for almost every aberration like snoring to enhance jawline definition. But is there a scientific basis for these claims?

Experts like Dr. Zac Turner has published an article on News.com.au has cautioned about mouth taping and also provided a clearer understanding.

One of the reasons for mouth taping which is being promoted is to promote nasal breathing. Nasal breathing affords a host of benefits which include warming and moisturizing the inhaled air while breathing by mouth can cause dryness of mouth, entry of dust particles, and augmented risks of infection. Breathing through the nose produces nitric oxide, a molecule which augments Oxygen uptake. Breathing through the mouth can cause bad breath and disrupted sleep.

A big logic propounded by some for mouth taping is that it provokes the body to get back to nasal breathing. However what if a person has a structural anomaly in his nasal passage like a deviated septum, mouth taping could lead to serious problems. Also if the person is prone to be allergic and his nasal passage is in an inflamed state, taping the mouth could be disastrous and lead to the person waking up in the night gasping for breath.

Also there are more scientific and safer methods to promote nasal breathing. If a person has a stuffy nose it is advisable to seek other and much better alternatives like neti pot or similar device which starts a flow of water from one nostril through the sinuses and out the other nostril. Also it has been proven in medical studies that saline irrigation also helps to clear blocked nasal passages.

Also there is something known as myofunctional therapy which involves strengthening the tongue and airway muscles and helps to keep the breathing on track. Also sleeping on your sides is better than sleeping on your back and the former encourages nasal breathing.

If you still want to give mouth taping a try it is better to do it during the day as a kind of training to encourage breathing through the nose. Also check your tape and try to minimize its stickiness so that it can be easily removed if you experience any distress.

In the end it is clear that there are many alternatives to promote nasal breathing without the need to resort to such extreme measures like mouth taping which also does not have any scientific basis.

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