The new TikTok trend of 'mouth-taping': does science back the beneficial claim?

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In the past year, a new TikTok trend known as ‘mouth-taping’ has made the rounds. Even celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have advocated its use, leading individuals to believe that there is a benefit to this action. But what is the science behind this intervention?

What is ‘Mouth Taping’?

Mouth-taping involves the use of sticky tape over the lips to keep the mouth closed during sleep. It aims to encourage the individual to breathe through the nose and avoid reliance on mouth breathing. Reliance on mouth breathing increases the likelihood of dryness in the mouth, caused by water evaporation from the pharyngeal mucosa, which is not seen during nasal breathing.

The process of taping is also suggested to prevent halitosis. This is derived from the Latin words halitus, which means breathed air, and osis, which refers to a pathological alteration. To the average individual, this means mouth breathing causes bad breath. The oral cavity is the known cause in 90% of bad breath cases. This is in part due to the mouth reaching temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius and a humidity that reaches up to 96%. This makes the mouth an ideal environment for several bacteria that will break down molecules like glucose and produce odour causing compounds.  

One area where mouth-taping is believed to help is snoring. A 2015 study carried out on 30 patients reviewed the benefits of using Porous Oral Patches (POP), made up of a silicone sheet, polyurethane foam, and a polyurethane film, during sleep cycles. It found that the patients had fewer snoring episodes per hour of sleep and a reduced intensity when using the patches. Noise reductions in snoring were recorded at 41.1 decibels, with a range of +/- 7.8 versus those not using the patches at 49.1 +/- 10.8 decibels. 

It is important to note that this study was conducted on those with mild obstructive sleep apnoea. This is where an individual has their breathing interrupted for a period of time. The cut-off for this is at least 5 periods of interruption per hour of sleep, with mild being the least severe form of the condition. 

What are the dangers? 

While anecdotal evidence suggests some benefit, there is not enough study-based evidence to suggest that the practice is indeed beneficial. Mouth-taping is not part of the current recommended form of treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and, in many cases, can be viewed to be dangerous. 

Additionally, most of the individuals recommending the use of tape are using normal paper tape or even duct tape in some instances. This carries the risk of losing facial hair or even damaging skin tissue around the face if done incorrectly. Even when the studies have suggested the use of tape, it is the use of POPs that is recommended. 

The application of tape will vary from person to person. As the form of tape most are recommending from their own experience is not measured or adjusted for their own faces, it only increases the risk that individuals will impede their breathing or potentially choke. 

What is the gold standard for treatment? 

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea varies on the basis of severity. With an estimated 1 billion people affected worldwide, it is critical that appropriate interventions are reviewed before attempting an approach like mouth-taping. 

Conservative approaches to treating sleep apnoea include lifestyle changes. Patients are typically recommended to avoid alcohol, opiates, and certain antidepressants. In conjunction with these interventions, patients are advised to try and lose weight, especially if they are at risk of other health conditions further down the line. It is important to note that these are good for condition management and are not curative in nature. 

For those who are more severely affected, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is recommended. These machines work by providing positive airway pressure to ensure a consistent respiratory cycle is maintained and prevent the collapse of the patients’ airways while they are asleep. While the mask approach used with nasal or full-face masks is most common; they are not recommended for patients who have experienced facial trauma or have any structural deformities of the face. In which case, surgical interventions might be considered as a treatment option.