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