Better Breathing?

Mouth taping is sweeping social media. But before you seal up your lips, read what experts say.

- By Olivia Luppino

From melatonin supps to white noise machines, endless life hacks exist for better sleep. And now, mouth taping is on the scene. Supporters of the practice say it prevents morning breath, helps you snooze, and even gives you healthier teeth.

The wellness trend took off on social media a few years ago, primarily as a way to aid sleep. The idea is that it potentially helps with nasal breathing, says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a physician specializing in sleep and critical care medicine. Some athletes have even incorporated mouth taping into their fitness routines to reap the purported benefits.

While you can easily purchase mouth tape online, it's unclear how helpful these sticky pieces really are. Be sure to consult your doctor first, but in the meantime, here's what you need to know about mouth taping and what it can (and can't) do for you.

Mouth tape will help you snooze better.

TRUE?

► Breathing through your nose can help you relax and lower your anxiety, which could also help you drift off more easily, says Dr. Dasgupta, but he wouldn't rec mouth tape to his patients, nor would Shannon Sullivan, MD, a sleep specialist at Stanford Medicine. There's just not a lot of solid evidence supporting it for sleep.