The health benefits of mouth taping

Mouth taping, also known as mouth taping therapy or mouth taping at night, is a practice where individuals tape their mouths shut during sleep to encourage nasal breathing instead of breathing through the mouth.  

This technique is promoted for its range of health benefits by both Wim “the Ice man” Hoff and Buteyko Breathing specialists. 

Some of the health benefits of mouth taping include:

• Improved nasal breathing: Mouth taping is intended to encourage individuals to breathe through their nose while sleeping. Nasal breathing can help filter, humidify, and warm the air before it enters the lungs, potentially reducing the risk of respiratory issues.

• Enhanced oxygen uptake: Nasal breathing improves oxygen uptake when compared to mouth breathing, which may lead to better overall oxygenation of the body's tissues.

• Reduced snoring: Nasal breathing can help reduce the likelihood and intensity of snoring for some individuals, promoting better sleep quality for both the person sleeping and their partner.

• Increased nitric oxide production: Breathing through the nose has been associated with increased nitric oxide production, which has various beneficial effects, including improved blood flow and potential antimicrobial properties.

• Better dental health: Mouth breathing during sleep can contribute to dry mouth, which may lead to an increased risk of dental issues such as cavities and gum disease. Encouraging nasal breathing through mouth taping might help alleviate these concerns.

• Reduced sleep apnoea symptoms:  Mouth taping can help obstructive sleep apnoea by encouraging nasal breathing, which could potentially reduce the number of apnoea events during sleep.

If you have difficulty breathing through your nose for whatever reason it is probably a good idea that you build up to mouth taping at night.  You might need to work on improving your nasal breathing and addressing the underlying cause of your blocked nose.  Buteyko breathing offers a number of exercises that help improve nose breathing. 

If you are anxious or suffer from an anxiety disorder I recommend a gentle and staggered introduction to mouth taping.   For example start by taping your mouth during the day for just 1 minute and build up as you feel comfortable.   

If you're ready to take charge of your well-being and embark on a transformative journey towards optimal health, don't hesitate to book an appointment with me, Jean Jarrett, Naturopath, Nutritionist and Buteyko Breathing practitioner at Elemental Health. Together, we can uncover the path to a healthier, happier you. Take that step today and experience the positive changes that await you. Your health is worth investing in, and I can't wait to be a part of your success story. 

Click here to schedule your consultation. Let's make your health a priority, starting now. See you soon!