Anti-aging by masking your mouth? Fact check on the “mouth taping” trend

“Mouth taping” is said to not only improve sleep, but also slow aging. How much truth is there behind these claims?

“Mouth taping” is a trend that is particularly popular TikTok– and Instagram-Influencer became popular. This involves sealing the mouth with a special adhesive tape while you sleep to support breathing through the nose. The method not only promises to improve sleep, but also more energy and less snoring. Below you will find out how advisable this practice is.

Nasal breathing protects against infections

The benefits of nasal breathing are well documented. It humidifies, warms and purifies the air we breathe, which strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of infection. This is explained by Professor Wolfram Windisch, head of the lung clinic in the city of Cologne and president of the German Society for Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, in an interview with Pharmacies Look around.

But how useful is this in the bedroom at night when the risk of infection from viruses and bacteria is relatively low? Supporters of “mouth taping” hope for a number of advantages. In addition to better sleep and more energy, taping your mouth at night can even prevent bad breath and tooth decay. Some even claim that this can slow down the aging process. However, there is a lack of any scientific evidence for such claims. A small study with 20 participants showed that half of the participants snored less through mouth taping, but the small number of participants makes the analysis unrepresentative.

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Would you like to try “mouth taping”? Who should have it checked by a doctor?

What is good for one person is annoying for another. Would you like to try whether taping your mouth at night improves your sleep? Sleep doctor Professor Martin Konermann explains in ZDF-Interview that this is basically not harmful to health. The body’s own instinct for self-preservation prevents you from putting yourself in danger through the mouth stickers, according to the expert. These are not so sticky that you can’t quickly remove them if necessary. However, anyone who has sleep problems or breathes heavily through their mouth should seek medical support to find the causes before trying “mouth taping,” continues expert Konermann.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.