Mouth taping has become a phenomenon among those who breathe through their mouth while sleeping. A variety of health issues can be caused by breathing through the mouth while sleeping and mouth taping can help prevent these problems.
Put simply, mouth taping involves taping the mouth shut before bedtime to ensure that the patient has to breathe through their nose. As the human body is meant to use the nose for breathing more than the mouth, all signs point to this practice being helpful and healthy.
The science is still out on the benefits and disadvantages of mouth taping, however. Some medical professionals recommend the practice to their patients who suffer from sleep apnea, bad breath, snoring, or other conditions. Other doctors recommend against the practice as there isn’t enough definitive research on the practice as of yet.
Here, we’ll discuss mouth taping, its advantages, its risks, and how to choose the best tape for mouth taping.
Reported benefits of mouth taping
Many people around the country tend to breathe through their mouths while they sleep, whether they know it or not. This practice can lead to a variety of health problems.
Mouth taping has been reported to help people overcome or reduce:
- Chronic snoring
- Dry mouth
- Sleep apnea
- Allergies
- Bad breath
The human nasal passages are designed to be used for most or all breathing activities. When a patient tapes their mouth shut during sleep, they ensure that their nose is the only source of breathing. This helps lubricate the nasal passages and keep them clear from obstruction.
While there aren’t many scientific studies on moth taping right now, many people who have engaged in the practice found it to be beneficial. It’s important to consult a doctor before you engage in the practice, however.
Risks associated with mouth taping
As with any practice, there are risks involved with mouth taping. Some people who have practiced mouth taping have reported:
- Lip dryness
- Skin irritation
- Difficulty breathing
- Sleep disruption
Many people who engage in mouth taping speak to their doctor first to determine if it is a good idea for them and their specific health concerns. Positive results have been reported from many patients who practiced mouth taping, most results coming after a few weeks of practice.
Few clinical studies have been performed to determine if mouth taping is dangerous in any way. As of right now, it seems that most practitioners have reported positive experiences and no major problems.
How to practice mouth taping
Mouth taping is a very easy process. The best way to perform mouth taping is as follows:
- Clean your lips with water and a dry cloth
- Apply a piece of tape horizontally across your lips
- Ensure that your lips are completely sealed with tape
- When you awake, slowly remove and dispose of the tape
For best results, it’s best to measure your health concerns over a period of time. Determine your energy level, hours asleep, dryness of your throat, or other health factors that are important to you. Keep track of how these change over time as you perform mouth taping on a nightly basis to see if the practice works for you.
Choosing the right mouth tape
Selecting the right tape can make a huge difference in a patient’s experience with mouth taping. For those who want to try mouth taping, it’s important to choose a low-irritating tape for the practice. The less irritating the tape, the better the results.
Hy-Tape is a high-quality option for mouth taping. Hy-Tape features zinc-oxide, an ingredient that is sensitive to the skin. Found in sunscreen, zinc-oxide helps to protect the skin from the adhesive on the tape itself.
Hy-Tape is also made to hold tightly in all uses. The adhesive is powerful but does not lead to irritation. The taped area can also move and bend freely without scratching or pinching. This helps greatly reduce the chances of skin irritation or dryness, which is often reported by those who use other tapes.
If you plan to try mouth taping to help with any health condition, Hy-Tape is the best choice of tape. It’s designed to be sensitive to skin, hold firm, and move freely. With Hy-Tape, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t need to worry about skin irritation.
Learn more about Hy-Tape and its many uses by contacting us for more information.