Viral Mouth Taping Trend May Harm Your Health During Sleep: Study

New Delhi: A new study published in the journal PLOS One has raised serious concerns about the growing social media trend of taping the mouth shut during sleep, warning that it may pose significant risks of asphyxiation—especially for people with undiagnosed sleep disorders or nasal obstructions.

The research, led by Dr. Brian Rotenberg, an otolaryngologist and sleep surgeon at Western University in the UK, reviewed 10 previously published studies involving 213 patients. The analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of mouth taping and similar techniques, such as chin straps, on sleep-disordered breathing.

Mouth taping has been popularized by social media influencers and celebrities who claim it enhances sleep quality, promotes nasal breathing, improves oral health, and even offers anti-aging benefits. However, the study warns that these claims are largely unsubstantiated and the practice may do more harm than good.

“Our findings suggest that taping the mouth shut can be dangerous, particularly for people who may unknowingly suffer from conditions like obstructive sleep apnea,” Dr. Rotenberg said. “By restricting airflow, especially during nasal obstruction, this method can worsen breathing problems and elevate the risk of severe complications, including heart disease.”

The study noted that while two of the ten studies reviewed showed minor improvements in sleep apnea severity among individuals with mild cases, most found no significant benefit. Alarmingly, four studies discussed the potential for asphyxiation when nasal breathing is impaired due to conditions such as hay fever, chronic rhinitis, a deviated septum, sinonasal disease, or enlarged tonsils.

Asphyxiation occurs when the body is deprived of adequate oxygen, leading to impaired breathing and, in severe cases, suffocation. Experts caution that sealing the mouth while sleeping could dangerously reduce oxygen intake if the nasal airways are blocked.

Medical professionals advise those experiencing symptoms such as snoring, frequent waking, or daytime fatigue to seek proper evaluation by a healthcare provider or sleep specialist. Relying on unverified social media trends, they warn, could result in unintended and dangerous consequences.