Frombed rottingto drinkinglettuce waterto help you wind down, many sleep-related trends have reached viral status on TikTok.
But a particularly fascinating one thats endured for more than a year is mouth taping.
Basically, the practice involves using porous surgical tape to keep your mouth shut at night.
But its important to note that this is not an evidence-backed strategy, nor is it recommended by physicians.
Why are people doing this?
We do know that nasal breathing is generally more beneficial than mouth breathing.
Angela Holliday-Bell, a pediatrician and certified clinical sleep health specialist.
All of these things help to improve your sleep quality.
Ask a dentist they can usually identify breathing patterns based on oral structure, she said.
What are the downsides?
There are safety concerns about mouth taping.
Some people may experience irritation from the tape being used as well.
Mouth taping can also cause irritation to the skin.
There are other ways to address sleep issues.
Some other methods that address sleep and breathing issues have a clearer basis in science.
Sleep apnea remains woefully under-diagnosed and is a serious health condition if left untreated.
She noted that side sleeping or sleeping in a slightly elevated position might reduce mouth breathing and snoring.
