Mouth taping, the observe of putting a small strip of tape over the lips earlier than mattress to encourage nasal respiration, has change into a preferred sleep development on-line. Proponents declare it improves sleep high quality, reduces loud night breathing, and even enhances facial construction. Docs, nonetheless, urge a extra cautious and evidence-based take a look at the observe earlier than it turns into a bedtime behavior. On this version of HT Way of life’s ‘Is It Value It,’ we spoke to Dr Anish Gupta, director at ENT, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, to grasp the science behind this development.
The rationale behind it
In response to Dr Gupta, nasal breathing throughout sleep does provide real advantages. It humidifies and filters air extra successfully than mouth respiration, helps higher oxygen change, and is usually related to extra restful sleep. “In individuals who habitually breathe by means of their mouth attributable to nasal congestion or behavior, encouraging nasal respiration can, in idea, enhance sleep high quality. That is the logic mouth taping depends upon,” highlighted Dr Gupta.