Why Do I Sleep with My Mouth Closed?

There is limited high-quality evidence to support the trend on social media of taping or closing mouths at night to alleviate breathing challenges.

“This trend has gained traction on social platforms,” says Ken O’Haloran, who was not part of the recent research at University College Cork in Ireland. “Ultimately, there is scant evidence it is effective.”

In recent years, users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram have posted videos viewed millions of times, demonstrating the use of tape to seal their mouths during sleep. They claim this prevents mouth breathing and provides various health benefits, including alleviating breathing issues and enhancing sleep quality.

To investigate the validity of these claims, Brian Rotenberg from Western University in Ontario, Canada, and his team reviewed eight studies involving nearly 200 individuals with obstructive sleep apnea—a common condition characterized by intermittent breathing cessation or restrictions during sleep, often accompanied by snoring and frequent awakenings due to low oxygen levels.

The findings varied significantly. In two studies, researchers monitored participants’ breathing for two nights—once with tape and once without—and discovered that taping reduced instances of obstructed breathing or restricted airflow. “This occurred multiple times each hour,” Rotenberg notes.

Conversely, the other six studies—including one randomized controlled trial—indicated that mouth taping did not provide benefits for these issues. “The results were quite convoluted, leading to weak evidence, and the studies were generally of low quality, with only a dozen or so participants involved,” explains O’Haloran.

Rotenberg also cautioned that mouth taping could present risks. “If your nose is blocked and your mouth is sealed, the situation could lead to panic due to insufficient air intake.”

“While individuals can simply peel off the tape, I wouldn’t recommend it, as awakening in that state could be distressing,” warns David Garley from a better sleep clinic located in Bristol, UK.

Moreover, the variability in outcomes may relate to differences in how mouth taping was implemented. Some studies defined it as a complete horizontal strip covering the mouth, while others were less precise, occasionally resulting in only partial mouth closure.

Another limitation of the studies is that they did not assess daytime symptoms. “Many patients in the clinic experience fatigue and headaches during the day caused by obstructive sleep apnea, but these outcomes were not evaluated,” states Gurley.

He advises that individuals experiencing breathing difficulties should consult their doctor until further research clarifies the situation. Proven treatments, such as CPAP machines that gently supply air through masks to keep airways open, are effective for managing obstructive sleep apnea, according to Gurley.