Doctors sound alarm on mouth taping trend: ‘It can obstruct breathing, risk asphyxiation’

Mouth breathing during sleep has long been associated with sleep disturbances, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

A new social media trend encouraging people to tape their mouths shut while sleeping has prompted serious warnings from medical experts, who say the practice could pose severe, even life-threatening, risks.

Mouth taping — a technique being widely promoted on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram — has been touted by influencers and celebrities alike as a simple and “natural” method to stop mouth breathing during sleep. Proponents of the fad claim it improves sleep quality, boosts oral health, and even offers anti-ageing benefits. However, health professionals have pushed back strongly, warning that the practice could exacerbate underlying conditions and obstruct normal breathing patterns during sleep.

Dr Brian Rotenberg, an otolaryngologist and sleep surgeon at Western University in Canada, was among the leading voices sounding the alarm over the viral health hack. “Our research shows that closing the mouth while sleeping is dangerous, especially for people who may not know they have sleep apnea,” he said in an interview. “These people are inadvertently making their symptoms worse and putting themselves at greater risk of serious health complications, such as heart disease.”

Mouth breathing during sleep has long been associated with sleep disturbances, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition marked by repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. Supporters of mouth taping argue that it trains individuals to breathe through the nose, thereby potentially reducing snoring and increasing oxygen intake. However, the medical community has warned that this oversimplified logic fails to consider the dangers of nasal obstruction.

“If nasal passages are even partially blocked, taping the mouth shut during sleep could turn from therapeutic to hazardous in seconds,” Rotenberg warned.

Rotenberg’s concerns are backed by a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, where he and his research team evaluated the impact of mouth taping on 213 patients. The findings were based on a combination of original research and a review of 10 previously published studies on the subject. The study concluded that the risks associated with mouth taping may far outweigh any potential benefits.

The researchers found that sealing the mouth during sleep could significantly obstruct airflow, particularly in individuals with compromised nasal breathing. This forced reliance on nasal passages can increase resistance in the airway, placing undue strain on the respiratory system and increasing the risk of asphyxiation — a condition where the body is deprived of adequate oxygen.

While the trend has gained popularity for its alleged benefits, Rotenberg and his colleagues urged caution. “Social media is not a substitute for clinical advice,” he said. “People experimenting with this technique may not realise that they are playing with their health, and in some cases, their lives.”

Experts have advised individuals experiencing sleep-related issues to consult certified medical professionals rather than turn to online fads that lack clinical validation. Mouth taping, they warn, is not a one-size-fits-all remedy and may present more danger than help, especially for those unaware of existing sleep disorders such as undiagnosed OSA.