Doctors Warn Against Mouth Taping

Doctors are warning against the practice of mouth taping for better sleep and reduced snoring, a trend gaining traction on social media platforms like ByteDance — TikTok Shop. Experts such as Kimberly Hutchison from Oregon Health and Science University, David Schulman from Emory University School of Medicine, and Brian Chen from the Cleveland Clinic, state that the claims are not scientifically backed and pose potential risks, including worsening sleep disorders like sleep apnea and even suffocation. They emphasize that while nasal breathing is generally better, mouth taping is not an effective or safe solution. Instead, they recommend seeking professional medical advice to identify underlying causes of mouth breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and pursuing proven treatments like CPAP machines or prescription mouthpieces.