New TikTok Trend of Mouth Taping During Sleep Carries Dangers

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by HealthDay.

A new trend promoted on the social media platform TikTok has people taping their lips shut at bedtime — a practice that could be dangerous, an expert warns.

The purpose of mouth taping is to keep from breathing through your mouth at night.

“If you have obstructive sleep apnea, yes, this can be very dangerous,” sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta told CNN.

“There is limited evidence on the benefits of mouth taping, and I would be very careful — and even talk to your health care provider before attempting it,” added Dasgupta, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

The reasons given for the mouth-taping trend include trying to achieve beauty sleep.

“I tape my mouth shut every single day,” one woman said on TikTok. “Sleeping properly is really important to anti-aging and looking and feeling your best.”

One woman said she doesn’t remember why she started taping her mouth shut at night.

“Truth be told, I don’t know. I saw on TikTok, and I can’t remember what the benefits were. But it helps me stay asleep,” she said, according to the CNN report Wednesday.

“Nasal breathing may lower blood pressure by increasing nitride oxide, a compound in your body that can be helpful for keeping your blood pressure under control,” Dasgupta added.

But anyone interested in this trend should first be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea, Dasgupta said.

Source: HealthDay
https://consumer.healthday.com/new-tiktok-trend-of-mouth-taping-during-sleep-carries-dangers-2658507136.html

Help us reach the next generation of families

Donate
Back to Top

[reposted by] Jim Liebelt

Jim is Senior Writer, Editor and Researcher for HomeWord. Jim has 40 years of experience as a youth and family ministry specialist, having served over the years as a pastor, author, consultant, mentor, trainer, college instructor, and speaker. Jim’s HomeWord culture blog also appears on Crosswalk.com and Religiontoday.com. Jim and his wife Jenny live in Quincy, MA.

  • About HomeWord

    HomeWord helps families succeed by creating Biblical resources that build strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids and healthy leaders. Founded by Jim Burns, HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches. Learn More »

  • Support Our Mission

    HomeWord is non-profit, donor supported ministry. If you would like to partner with HomeWord in our effort to help more parents and families you can make a donation. Your investment will allow us to expand this ministry by offering more resources to families and churches in need.

  • Contact Information

    • HomeWord
      PO Box 1600
      San Juan Capistrano, CA
      92693

    • Send us an email

    • 800-397-9725
      (M-F: 8:30am-5pm PST)

Close