Dr. Pinto Featured as an Expert in CNN

Mouth taping went viral on social media, which means a lot of people are trying it on their own. So when CNN Underscored asked a group of healthcare experts whether it actually works, I was glad to share what I tell people in my chair: it can help the right person, and it can be the wrong move for others.

Here’s who it’s for. Mouth taping works best for adults who already breathe comfortably through their nose during the day but quietly switch to mouth breathing at night. For that person, gentle tape can be a nudge back toward nasal breathing. If you have sleep apnea, a deviated septum, chronic congestion or allergies that block your nose, skip it. When your nose can’t carry the load, closing off your mouth is the last thing you want.

If you want to try it, start gently. I prefer tapes that don’t fully cover both lips, like a thin vertical strip or one with a small opening in the middle, because they give your body a way to switch to mouth breathing if it needs to. Wear it for about 30 minutes while you watch TV before you ever sleep in it. If you feel short of breath or anxious, take it off and see an ENT or a dentist before going any further.

If you wake up feeling worse, then stop. Your body is trying to tell you something, and your next step should be a visit with your doctor.

Watch for the red flags: waking up unrested, morning headaches, more clenching or grinding, or waking up gasping for air. Those aren’t things to push through. They’re signs something deeper is going on with your airway, and tape can’t fix the reason you’re mouth breathing in the first place.

If you’re curious whether it’s right for you, or you suspect your sleep isn’t what it should be, the first step is just a conversation. Breathing well at night is worth getting right.

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Yenile Pinto

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