A new health trend is going viral on TikTok, claiming that it has a lot of benefits. The trend in question is mouth taping, which some claim benefits those with bad breath.
What's The Viral Mouth Taping on TikTok?
TikToker @celia.gercovich shared a video of her talking about the alleged benefits of mouth-taping. Her post has received over 114,000 likes.
She said she started taping her mouth shut when going to bed, and she had the best night's sleep. Also, her partner reportedly believed she snored a lot, and before she taped her mouth, she usually woke up with a stuffy nose. However, she wakes up not feeling that way since taping her mouth.
She also showed the camera how she uses stop tape. She folded the end for easy removal.
A different user, @isabelle.lux, claimed in another video that breathing through the mouth contributes to many health problems, including bad breath, gum disease, cavities, brain fog, and a weakened immune system. She encouraged others to prevent that by shutting their mouth with tape.
Healthline says mouth breathing due to nasal congestion from infection is temporary. However, doing it long-term can lead to numerous health issues. It can cause crooked teeth, facial deformities, and poor growth in children. For adults, chronic mouth breathing can lead to bad breath and gum disease and may worsen symptoms of other illnesses.
What Did The Expert Say About Mouth Taping For Halitosis?
Shenuka Singh, a professor of dentistry at South Africa's University of KwaZulu-Natal, warned the public from using mouth taping to address bad breath or halitosis. According to her, there's no evidence that it addresses the condition.
Poor dental hygiene, gum inflammation, periodontal disease, unhealthful eating habits, rotting teeth, cracked restorations, and inappropriate cleaning techniques for dentures, implants, etc. are just a few of the many factors contributing to bad breath, Singh explained to Newsweek.
The dental expert recommended identifying the cause of the halitosis and then implementing a safe and scientifically proven intervention. She added that taping one's mouth at night to prevent bad breath makes no sense, especially when the condition is caused by local, systemic, or a combination of both. Additionally, the intervention should be done with the assistance of a qualified medical or dental practitioner.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, further treatments for halitosis depend on the cause; it usually includes brushing your teeth, tongue, cheeks, and roof of your mouth twice a day, stopping smoking, and consuming wholesome foods that make you chew and produce saliva.
Mouth taping can also be dangerous because it might cause breathing obstruction if the nose becomes plugged. Suppose the mouth is taped shut at night. In that case, people with respiratory issues like asthma or ailments restricting nasal airflow, including sinusitis or a deviated septum, may also experience difficulty breathing, Singh added.
It is risky, particularly when a person's airway is obstructed, as could happen when there is congestion. Breathing issues could happen, and a medical emergency may arise in the worst-case scenario.
To enjoy better sleep at night, one should exercise regularly, avoid coffee near the end of the day, and keep the same waking and sleeping hours each day.
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