Mouth tape for sleep: is it teen safe?

What to know about the sleep trend

Quick summary

• Mouth taping is a sleep trend some teens are curious about, but it’s not recommended for them without personalised medical advice
• While nose breathing has real benefits, taping the mouth shut can cause anxiety, skin issues, or breathing problems, and may hide something more serious
• If your teen is struggling with sleep or mouth breathing, there are safer ways to help and you don’t have to figure it out alone

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What is mouth taping?

Mouth taping is a sleep trend where people place a piece of tape over their mouth before bed to encourage nose breathing. 

It’s become popular online, especially among people who want to reduce snoring, improve sleep, or stop waking up with a dry mouth.

Some teenagers have started showing interest in mouth taping too, often after seeing it on social media. 

If your teen has brought it up or started experimenting with it, you’re not alone. 

As with many health trends, it might seem harmless at first, but it’s worth understanding the risks before letting it become part of their bedtime routine.

Why do people tape their mouths at night?

The idea behind mouth taping is that nose breathing is "better" for sleep and overall health than mouth breathing. 

There is a grain of truth behind this  – breathing through the nose helps filter the air we breathe, keeps the mouth from drying out, and may even reduce snoring in some people.

Some studies suggest that adults who breathe through their mouths at night may be more likely to snore or wake up tired, and that encouraging nose breathing can help. 

Mouth taping is one way people try to change that habit.

But there’s a big difference between an adult making this decision for themselves and a teenager trying it without medical advice, and that’s where concerns begin.

Is mouth taping safe for teens?

In most cases, no. Especially not without guidance from a doctor. 

Teenagers are still developing physically, including their airways, breathing patterns, and sleep rhythms. 

Taping the mouth closed without knowing whether it’s truly safe for them can do more harm than good.

There are several reasons why a teen might be breathing through their mouth at night. 

It could be due to allergies, a blocked nose, or even an underlying condition like sleep apnoea. 

Taping their mouth shut might hide the problem, not solve it.

For younger children, mouth taping can be extremely dangerous and should never be used.

Their airways are smaller, and blocking the mouth can make it harder for them to breathe, especially if they can’t easily remove the tape themselves.

Even for older teens, the risks include:

• Difficulty breathing if their nose becomes blocked
• Feelings of anxiety or panic, especially if they wake up and can’t open their mouth easily
• Skin irritation or rashes from adhesives
  The possibility of covering up a more serious health issue, like disturbed sleep or night-time breathing problem

If your child is waking up tired, snoring, or struggling with sleep, it’s better to talk to a healthcare professional than try to fix it with tape.

What do doctors and dentists say?

Most sleep specialists and dentists do not recommend mouth taping for teenagers or children. 

While nose breathing is generally encouraged, taping the mouth shut is not a medically approved treatment – especially not for young people.

Dentists are also cautious, particularly if your teen wears braces or has dental appliances.

Taping the mouth may affect how the jaw rests or how devices sit overnight, which could interfere with treatment or cause discomfort.

Before trying anything new, it’s important to find out why your teen is mouth breathing. 

If their nose is always blocked, they’re waking often, or if they’re snoring, that might be a sign of something more going on. 

A family doctor or sleep specialist can help work that out.

What are the risks of mouth taping in teens?

Even when done carefully, there are real risks to mouth taping – especially for teens who may not fully understand how to use it safely or when to stop. 

Risks include:

• Blocked breathing: if the nose is congested during sleep, mouth taping can make it hard to get enough air
• Interrupted sleep or panic: some teens may feel trapped, anxious, or frightened if they wake up unable to open their mouth comfortably
• Skin issues: the skin around the mouth is delicate, and repeated use of adhesive tape can cause dryness, redness, or breakouts
• Missed diagnosis: if your teen has an undiagnosed sleep or breathing issue, taping over the problem might delay getting the right help
• Risk in emergencies: in rare cases, if a teen becomes ill overnight or needs to vomit, a taped mouth could be a serious hazard

Mouth taping is not suitable for teens with:

• Sleep apnoea or suspected breathing disorders
• Frequent nasal congestion or allergies
• Nausea or a history of vomiting at night
• Strong anxiety or claustrophobia
• Any condition that affects the jaw, face, or breathing

What can you try instead of mouth tape?

If your teen is interested in improving their sleep or stopping mouth breathing, there are safer, gentler options to consider:

• Nasal strips: these can help open up the nostrils and make nose breathing easier, especially if your child is congested
• Treat allergies: ongoing stuffiness might be caused by something treatable, like dust mites, pets, or seasonal allergies – a pharmacist is a good first point of call for advice on anti-allergy medication
• Saline sprays or nasal rinses: these can clear the nasal passages before bed and reduce dryness
• Good sleep habits: cutting back on screens before bed, going to sleep at a regular time, and limiting caffeine all help with deeper sleep
• Address underlying causes: if mouth breathing, snoring, or fatigue is a regular issue, a professional assessment is the best next step

Try to support your teen with curiosity, not criticism

It’s completely understandable that teens are exploring wellness trends. 

Many of them are just trying to feel better, sleep better, or fix something they think is wrong. 

They’re figuring things out, and in a world full of sleep advice and viral hacks, mouth taping might sound like a simple solution.

If your teen brings it up, try to respond with curiosity instead of criticism – ask what they’ve seen, what they’re feeling, and what they hope it will help with. 

It’s a chance to connect and to hopefully guide them toward choices that are both safer and more sustainable.

The bottom line: mouth taping isn’t harmless

Mouth taping may sound like a harmless trend, but it isn’t a good fit for most teens. 

While nose breathing is a healthy habit to encourage, forcing it by taping the mouth closed comes with real risks, especially without professional guidance.

If your child is struggling with mouth breathing or poor sleep, it’s not something you have to guess your way through. 

There are better ways to support them – with care, with questions, and, if needed, with expert advice.

If they’re looking for support with healthy sleep, the luna app can help. From sleep routines to gentle health guidance, it offers real, medically-backed advice.

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