You might have come across the latest trend of “morning shedding,” where people on social media share videos of themselves removing an array of contraptions from their heads—sleeping curlers, eye masks, jaw straps, and, most commonly, mouth tape.
Yes, mouth-taping has really piqued our interest.
Mouth taping is an online movement encouraging people to tape their mouths shut before going to bed. Why, you may ask?
Well, according to TikTok, the trend has several potential benefits.
@maytexmyers if u are a bugger creator pla don’t forget to give credit who the routine’s from🙃 #morningshed #shedding #deshedding #morningroutine #skincare #siliconepatches #mouthtape #jawstrap #fy #fypage #fypシ゚viral ♬ once upon a dream – 🎧
Now, what exactly is mouth tape, you might wonder?
It’s actually an older practice than you’d expect. Mouth taping has been around for quite some time and is supposedly helpful in reducing snoring and improving sleep. Surprisingly, you can find mouth tapes in most pharmacies. No doubt Irish pharmacies are sick of TikTok enthusiasts flooding in, desperately asking for mouth tape!
Although it’s great in reducing snoring, online users aren’t too concerned with that particular benefit of the trend… it’s rather great for your jawline and side profile apparently. Sleeping with your jaw shut means your jaw is perfectly aligned and shapely for the hours that you sleep, which (in some cases of course!) can improve the appearance of your jaw and avoid the possibility of a recessed jaw.
Breathing through your nose is actually the intended way for us to breathe when we sleep but for those of us constantly congested, we get it! It’s not your fault your nose isn’t doing its job. We’ve all been there when sick – some of us more than others!
@devonkelley_ Replying to @Olivia the best tape in my humble opinion 🧐 #mouthtaping #tmjtreatment #skincaretips #skintok #fyp ♬ princess diana goth remix – boyband
What might have started as a medical hack in tackling a pesky snore has turned into a beauty hack as users noticed an improved difference in their appearance after mouth taping? Breathing through your nose as you sleep ensures your jaw is positioned as it should be whilst you sleep. Other benefits pointed out by medical professionals were improved breath and oral hygiene, your nose is there for a reason people!
It filters any dust or debris you might be breathing in whilst you sleep, if your jaw is hanging wide open as you sleep, chances are you’re inhaling a whole load of dirt that has nowhere else to go but your tongue…which isn’t too pleasant is it?
Now this being said, don’t go smothering yourself at the possibility of a snatched jawline! Asthma and allergy sufferers, we’re talking to you.
It’s best to consult your GP before taping up the limited breathing you’ve already got and if you’re prone to a bit of congestion…it might be best to sort that out first before engaging in the trend. But if you’re a casual snorer and find it difficult to sustain a solid night’s sleep it might be worth your while testing the trend out, with the advice of your GP or pharmacist of course!
@barrettplasticsurgery Benefits of mouth taping 🤐 #mouthtape #mouthtapingforsleep #mouthtapeforsleep #jamesnestor #breathe #nitricoxcide ♬ original sound – Dr Daniel Barrett
One online user claimed she’s “having such great sleep and falls asleep so quickly” after only one week of adopting the trend.
If you’re just not cut out for the nose-breathing lifestyle and are happy to carry on with those snoring and mouth-breathing habits, despite people’s complaints, fear not as there are some alternative solutions that can help with your sleep.
Cutting down on caffeine or alcohol in the evening before bed or quitting smoking should give you improved sleeping habits similar effects to the mouth taping trend.
Words by Cillian Murphy