A claim that taping your mouth shut while sleeping leads to better sleep has spread on social media, but research supporting it is lacking, and for people with sleep apnea, it could actually make their symptoms worse.
According to the Associated Press, some users are spreading videos claiming that mouth taping is a healthy habit that reduces snoring and promotes better sleep. Some of these videos reportedly come from influencers connected to companies that sell related products.
Only a Few Small Studies on Mouth Taping
Only a handful of small studies support the benefits of mouth taping, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. Dr. Kimberly Hutchison, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Oregon Health & Science University, said, "The studies behind mouth tape are small, the benefits are modest and the potential risks are there."
Worsening Sleep Apnea and Suffocation Risk
What worries doctors more are the side effects. Taping the mouth shut narrows the airway to the nose alone, and for people with a blocked nose or sleep apnea, that can make symptoms worse or even risk suffocation. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly. Dr. David Schulman, a sleep medicine specialist at Emory University, said there are proven alternatives, such as prescription mouthpieces that open up the airway or a CPAP machine.
The Oral Health Problems Mouth Breathing Leaves Behind
Mouth breathing in adults isn't a major health problem by itself, but experts say breathing through the nose is better. The nose filters out dust and allergens, a function that's bypassed when breathing through the mouth. Sleeping with the mouth open can dry out the mouth and irritate the throat, which can contribute to bad breath and oral health problems, and it's also linked to more snoring, the AP reported. Still, experts were clear that taping the mouth shut isn't the solution.
Sleep Testing and South Korea's Health Insurance Coverage
Dr. Brian Chen, a sleep medicine specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, explained the risks of sleep apnea, saying, "The reason sleep apnea can be bad is that any decrease in the quality of sleep can affect you day to day or over the course of your life." Dr. Schulman recommends starting with a sleep test, some of which can be done at home, to identify the cause. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, patients can use a CPAP machine or an oral appliance custom-made by a dentist to fit the shape of the jaw. However, long-term use of an oral appliance can cause side effects where tooth position gradually shifts, so regular dental checkups are needed.
Since July 2018, South Korea's national health insurance has covered polysomnography and CPAP rental fees, significantly reducing the burden on patients. However, custom oral appliances made by dentists remain uncovered by insurance despite their effectiveness, and some dentists are reluctant to recommend the treatment because of the lab fees involved.