Mouth taping Is Trending For Higher Sleep. We Requested The Consultants: What Is It & Ought to We Be Doing It?

We spoke to Dr. Michael Breus, PhD and founding father of TheSleepDoctor.com and Mr Pavol Surda, Advisor ENT and Rhinology Surgeon based mostly at London Bridge Hospital and a guide at HCA UK to grasp what precisely mouth taping is, what it is advantages are and whether or not it is truly a good suggestion…

What’s mouth taping?

“Mouth taping is a way the place an individual places a small piece of speciality tape vertically in the course of their lips whereas sleeping, to maintain their mouth closed throughout sleep in an try to keep away from mouth respiratory,” explains Dr Breus.

“This system is employed with the intention of encouraging nostril respiratory, which is believed to supply potential well being advantages akin to diminished loud night breathing, improved allergy signs, and brisker breath. It is value noting that the purported advantages of mouth taping are largely anecdotal, as just a few small scientific experiments have been performed on this apply to this point,” explains Mr Surda. “Sadly there’s little or no information on its effectiveness,” agrees Dr Breus.

How does mouth taping work?

“Mouth taping works by bodily stopping the mouth from opening throughout sleep, thus encouraging the person to breathe by their nostril. Nostril respiratory is taken into account extra useful than mouth respiratory, because it promotes correct filtration, humidification, and warming of the air, which may result in improved total respiratory operate,” explains Mr Surda. “In lots of instances mouth taping may help clear congestion and you probably have mouth respiratory associated loud night breathing, it may be useful, however it’s a must to watch out,” agrees Dr Breus.

How can mouth taping assist with loud night breathing?

“Loud night breathing is commonly brought on by the vibration of sentimental tissues within the throat as air passes by throughout mouth respiratory. By selling nostril respiratory, mouth taping can scale back or remove the vibrations accountable for loud night breathing. Furthermore, nostril respiratory results in an elevated manufacturing of nitric oxide, which may loosen up the airways, additional decreasing loud night breathing,” explains Mr Surda.

Find out how to do mouth taping appropriately?

Clearly, with any health-related or medical approach, it is important to grasp all of the dangers concerned and the best way to do it correctly earlier than attempting it your self. It is all the time finest to seek the advice of an skilled.

Seek the advice of a health care provider to test it is one of the best plan of action for you

“It’s best to by no means mouth tape if somebody suspects you might have sleep apnoea. These embrace: extreme daytime sleepiness or napping at inappropriate instances, disrupted sleep and frequent nighttime waking, waking up with a headache, difficulties with focus, loud night breathing loudly, waking up gasping or making choking sounds, dry mouth within the morning and getting off the bed to urinate a number of instances,” says Dr Breus.

Do NOT tape your mouth shut

“The tape itself ought to be a small piece that goes vertically (up and down) not horizontally or facet to facet. Nobody on the market ought to be taping their mouth shut in case it’s worthwhile to totally breathe in the course of the evening,” warns Dr Breus.

Use the right tape

You’ll be able to’t simply seize the cellotape, “there’s particular ‘pores and skin’ or ‘micropore’ tape that can be utilized,” says Dr Breus, which is breathable. There are additionally new gadgets that may be useful, like Myotape. However by no means use scotch, duct, electrical tape [or any other kind],” says Dr Breus. Together with blocking airflow, “it’s going to tear the pores and skin off your lips,” he says.

Is mouth taping protected – what are the dangers of mouth taping?

“Mouth taping is mostly thought of protected for most people; nevertheless, it might not be appropriate for everybody. There are some dangers related to mouth taping, akin to issue inhaling case of a blocked or congested nostril, elevated danger of choking or asphyxiation, and potential pores and skin irritation from the adhesive,” says Mr Surda. That is why, “it’s important to seek the advice of a healthcare skilled earlier than beginning mouth taping, notably you probably have pre-existing respiratory points, sleep apnoea, or different well being considerations,” he provides.

What are some alternate options to mouth taping?

Mouth taping can appear a fairly radical step, particularly when there are different extra established and verified strategies to strive first. These embrace…

1. “Nasal strips or dilators to assist open the nasal passages and facilitate nostril respiratory,” says Mr Surda. “I personally use Mute each time I drink alcohol, it opens up your nostril and works,” says Dr Breus.
2. “Sleep place modification, akin to sleeping on one’s facet to scale back the probability of loud night breathing,” says Mr Surda.
3. “Humidifiers or air purifiers to enhance air high quality and assist alleviate allergy signs,” Mr Surda notes.
4. “Life-style modifications, akin to weight reduction, common train, avoiding alcohol or sedatives earlier than bedtime, and training good sleep hygiene to advertise wholesome sleep and scale back loud night breathing,” Mr Surda says. “About 5% weight reduction (10lbs in a 200lbs particular person) will decrease the decibel stage of the snore about 30%,” confirms Dr Breus.
5. “Medical therapies or gadgets, akin to steady optimistic airway strain (CPAP) machines, dental home equipment, the ExciteOSA gadget, or surgical procedure, relying on the severity of the situation and the person’s distinctive wants,” Mr Surda says.

For extra from GLAMOUR’s Senior Magnificence Editor, Elle Turner, comply with her on Instagram @elleturneruk