Nighttime mouth breathers: try taping your lips closed

 This is the second blog I’ve posted on forcing yourself to breathe through your nose by taping your mouth closed at night. I’m revisiting it because of readers’ comments following an article published by The New York Times (summarized briefly in the next paragraph). Many readers said that the practice was “life changing.” So, while I have no experience with the practice, maybe some of you would find it to be valuable.

The benefits of nasal breathing are many: it humidifies and filters the air; activates your lower lungs; lets you take deeper, fuller breaths; helps your body relax; helps filter out allergens, pathogens, and dust; helps lower blood pressure; improves blood flow; improves air flow; and reduces snoring. Sleeping with your mouth open can cause you to wake up with dry mouth, which can contribute to cavities, bad breath, a hoarse voice, and dry, cracked lips. 

If you normally struggle to breathe through your nose, taping your mouth closed is probably not a good idea. If you want to try it, choose a tape, such as surgical tape, that comes off easily. Some people recommend SomniFix sleep strips, also 3M Durapore. (One person recommended using an adult pacifier!) You can ease into the practice by starting during the day, taping your mouth for about ten minutes a day, then working up to 20 or so minutes.

For more information about mouth vs. nasal breathing, see my earlier blog on the subject.

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