About the Viral Mouth Taping Trend and Why It’s Not Recommended for Sleep Apnea Patients
Key Takeaways
- Mouth taping is trending on social media as a “sleep hack” but it’s not safe for people with sleep apnea.
- For individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), taping the mouth shut can worsen breathing disruptions and reduce oxygen levels.
- Proven, clinically supported treatment options like CPAP therapy are far safer and more effective than viral sleep trends.
If you’ve been on social media lately, you have probably seen influencers promoting “mouth taping.” It’s supposed to be a simple way to improve sleep, reduce snoring, and boost energy. It sounds easy enough, just place a strip of tape over your mouth before bed to encourage nasal breathing.
For individuals who have sleep apnea, the trend can be more harmful than helpful. Mouth taping seems like a harmless wellness hack, but it does not treat sleep apnea and can even make symptoms worse.
What is Mouth Taping and Why is it Gaining Popularity?
Mouth taping involves placing a large piece of tape over the mouth just before going to sleep. The tape keeps the mouth closed, which encourages nasal breathing during the night. The trend gained popularity online after discussions around nasal breathing techniques became popular. Supports claim that mouth taping can:
- Reduce snoring
- Improve oxygen intake
- Promote deeper sleep
- Improve oral health
These may be true for people who do not have underlying sleep disorders. For them, nasal breathing1 is usually beneficial. However, sleep apnea2 is a medical condition, not a breathing habit issue.
Sleep apnea occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. This causes repeated breathing interruptions. Taping the mouth doesn’t address the airway collapse, which is the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea.3
The Risks of Mouth Taping for Sleep Apnea Patients
For individuals who are diagnosed with sleep apnea, mouth taping can pose serious risks.
Worsens Apnea Episodes
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses or becomes blocked. If airflow through the nose is limited due to anatomical factors, congestion, or nasal obstruction, taping the mouth shut may eliminate a backup breathing pathway. This may increase airflow resistance, potentially worsening apnea events rather than reducing them.
Drop in Oxygen Levels
Sleep apnea an cause intermittent drops in blood oxygen saturation. Preventing mouth breathing during an obstructive event can contribute to further lower blood oxygen levels. Repeated drops in oxygen levels4 can increase the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Daytime fatigue
- Cognitive impairment
- Cardiovascular complications
CPAP therapy, on the other hand, works by delivering pressurized air to keep the airway open, preventing these dangerous drops in oxygen.
Asphyxiation Risk
If the nasal passages are blocked due to allergies, congestion, or a deviated septum, taping the mouth closed removes the body’s natural compensation mechanism. In worst case scenarios, this could lead to breathing distress during sleep. Even though severe outcomes are rare, the risk is unnecessary and avoidable, especially with medically approved therapies available.
Panic and Anxiety Inducing
Sometimes, people experience claustrophobia or anxiety when their airflow feels restricted. Mouth taping can trigger a panic response, especially for those who are already struggling with sleep-related breathing difficulties. Sleep is supposed to be restorative, not stressful.
Skin Irritation
Adhesive tape can irritate sensitive facial skin. For sensitive skin, it can cause:
- Redness
- Rashes
- Lip dryness
- Allergic Reactions
This may seem minor, especially when compared to breathing risks, it’s just another reason why taping isn’t a great solution, especially when effective alternatives are available.
Safer Alternatives for Sleep Apnea Patients
If mouth breathing is a concern during CPAP therapy, there are safe, effective solutions designed specifically for sleep apnea patients.
- CPAP Pillows. CPAP pillows are specially shaped to accommodate masks and tubing, helping reduce mask leaks and improving comfort for side sleepers. Better positioning can minimize mouth breathing and improve therapy success.5
- Chin Straps. CPAP chin straps gently support the jaw to help keep the mouth closed while using a nasal mask. Unlike tape, chin straps are designed for safe use alongside CPAP therapy.
- CPAP Masks for Mouth Breathers. There are CPAP masks specifically designed for different breathing styles. Full face masks are for mouth breathers, nasal masks are for nasal breathers, and nasal pillow masks for minimal contact. Properly fitted masks can eliminate the need for risky DIY sleep solutions.
If you are struggling with dryness, leaks, or mouth breathing, or adjusting your equipment, not experimenting with viral trends is safer.
Conclusion
Mouth taping may be a trend, but trends are not treatments. For individuals with sleep apnea, it can worsen symptoms and expose you to unnecessary risks. Sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires clinically supported therapy, most commonly CPAP therapy. If you are having issues with mouth breathing, leaky masks, or discomfort, the solution is not tape. The solution is the right equipment.
Explore CPAP pillows, chin straps, and a wide selection of masks at The CPAP Shop to ensure your therapy is safe, effective, and comfortable every night. For more information, give our team a call at 866-414-9700.
Resources
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Guilleminault, C., Eldridge, F., & Tilkian, A. (1976). Sleep apnea syndrome: A study of 100 cases. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3298509/
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Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Sleep apnea – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (n.d.). Sleep apnea (fact sheet). https://aasm.org/resources/factsheets/sleepapnea.pdf
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Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Hypoxemia. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17727-hypoxemia
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Epstein, L. J., Kristo, D., Strollo, P. J., Friedman, N., Malhotra, A., Patil, S. P., Ramar, K., & Rogers, R. (2010). Clinical guideline for the evaluation, management and long-term care of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21678115/
