TikTok users are taping their mouths shut before bed and say the practice, called mouth taping, leads to higher quality sleep and better oral health.
Researchers have only studied mouth taping on small groups of people with sleep apnea and asthma. One study showed mouth taping could be beneficial for people with sleep apnea, while another found it ineffective for people with asthma.
Since no conclusive research exists on the practice and its effects on normally healthy people, doctors remain cautious about it and warn of potential side effects like poor sleep, anxiety, or trouble breathing. Still, some people swear by sealing their lips at night.
