Wellness Wednesday: Mouth taping 101

. Podcast episodes release every Wellness Wednesday. Alternating weeks will feature a guest interview with medical and dental specialists as well as people who are conquering their sleep struggles and newly added mini episodes that feature quick tips and tricks to inspire wellness through better breathing and sleep.

All podcasts are now on the YouTube channel: Beyond Breathing - YouTube

This episode is all about mouth taping, You can see the  various mouth tapes on the YouTube channel.

Mouth taping 101: Have you taped your mouth shut?

In the pursuit of improved health, many people are turning to mouth tape to breathe and sleep better. Viral TikTok videos, sleep and wellness specialists, and even elite athletes are touting mouth tape to enhance physical performance, eliminate snoring, reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality by encouraging more optimal breathing through the nose. This idea might seem strange or uncomfortable, but there can be a wide range of health benefits. 

What is mouth taping?

Mouth taping involves placing a small piece of tape over the lips (vertical or horizontal) before going to sleep. The purpose behind this practice is to help keep the mouth closed, lips together and help relax muscles to encourage your body to breathe through the nose. This can be done throughout the day or night to prevent mouth breathing. You have heard all about nasal breathing on nearly every podcast episode. 

Why is mouth breathing bad?

When we breathe through our mouth, cold, dry and unfiltered air reaches our body. This is an unhealthy and inefficient way to breathe since it exposes our body to irritants and decreases the amount of oxygen our body gets. Breathing through the nose is the natural and best way for humans to breathe. Our noses are designed to filter, humidify, and warm the temperature of the air we breathe in, allowing for oxygen to easily get to the parts of the body that need it the most.  Nasal breathing also produces nitric oxide, a gas that can relax muscles, help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, enhance physical performance, increase blood flow in the body, support wound healing, support sexual performance and improve overall oxygen uptake. When we breathe through our mouth, we bypass all these important functions, potentially leading to a variety of health issues. Mouth breathing is also now been shown to negatively alter the growth and development of the nasal passages, face and dental arches. 

The MANY Benefits of Mouth Taping

1.     More Oxygen: Nasal breathing leads to better oxygenation of the blood due to the filtration and humidification processes that occur in the nasal passages. This can have positive effects on overall energy levels and cognitive function.

2.     Better Sleep Quality: Nasal breathing promotes deeper and more restful sleep. It encourages proper oxygen exchange and ensures that the body receives adequate oxygen levels throughout the night.

3.     Reduced Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Mouth taping can help reduce snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea by encouraging the airways to stay open. When we breathe through our mouth, the soft tissues at the back of the throat are more likely to collapse, causing snoring or interruptions in breathing.

4.     Improved Oral Health: Mouth breathing also contributes to a dry mouth, leading to increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Nasal breathing creates an environment fo