Snoring is a common problem that can lead to broken sleep for both the snorer and their partner. Breathing through an open mouth worsens snoring as it dries out and narrows the airways, causing turbulence in the nose, mouth and throat. This creates an unpleasant and disruptive noise that can make bedtime a nightmare. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective solution: mouth tape.
The Science
A 2022 study aimed to investigate the impact of using mouth tape on snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in mouth-breathers with mild OSA (Lee et al., 2022). The study focused on patients who were habitual mouth-breathers during sleep and explored how sealing the mouth with hypoallergenic tape could improve their condition.
The study included 20 patients with mild OSA. These participants were selected based on specific inclusion criteria and their ability to tolerate mouth tape. The researchers used 3M silicone hypoallergenic tape to seal the mouths of the participants during sleep.
Key Findings from the Study
- Reduction in Snoring: The median snoring index (SI) decreased significantly, from 303.8 events per hour to 121.1 events per hour, showing a 47% reduction. The Snoring Index (SI) measures the number of snoring events per hour. From the study, the average number of times the subject snored per hour decreased significantly, from about 304 times to 121 times per hour, showing a 47% reduction in snoring.
- Improvement in Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI): The median AHI also decreased significantly, from 8.3 events per hour to 4.7 events per hour, indicating a 47% reduction. This improvement was especially notable in the supine position (lying on the back), where the AHI dropped from 9.4 to 5.5 events per hour. The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) measures the number of times per hour that a person's breathing stops (apnea) or becomes very shallow (hypopnea) during sleep. The average number of times per hour that the subjects experienced breathing interruptions during sleep dropped from 8.3 to 4.7, a 47% improvement. This was especially noticeable when lying on the back, where the interruptions decreased from 9.4 to 5.5 times per hour.
- Better Oxygen Levels: Improvements were noted in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the lowest oxygen saturation levels during sleep. The ODI decreased from 8.7 to 5.8, and the lowest saturation improved from 82.5% to 87%. In simpler terms, the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) measures the number of times per hour that the blood oxygen level drops by a certain amount during sleep. The average number of times per hour that the subjects blood oxygen level dropped during sleep went down from 8.7 to 5.8. Additionally, the lowest blood oxygen level during sleep improved from 82.5% to 87%.
What Does This All Mean?
The findings from these study indicates that mouth taping can substantially reduce snoring frequency, reduce the severity of sleep apnea, and can enhance overall oxygenation during sleep. The study concluded that mouth-taping could be an effective alternative treatment for patients with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before considering more invasive options like CPAP therapy or surgical intervention.
By promoting nasal breathing and reducing mouth breathing, mouth-taping significantly improved nose and mouth snoring and decreased the severity of sleep apnea. This simple and non-invasive approach offers a promising option for individuals seeking to manage their symptoms and enhance their sleep quality without immediately resorting to more complex treatments.
MyoTape is the perfect mouth tape. Our gentle, safe and effective mouth tape encourages nasal breathing, offering a straightforward way to improve your sleep naturally. MyoTape was carefully designed by world-renowned sleeping expert, Dr. Patrick McKeown, and can help with snoring, as well as sleep apnea. Visit the MyoTape shop and choose the right tape for your needs. Available are have mouth tapes for sensitive skin, for beards, for adults, and for kids.
References:
Lee, Y.-C.; Lu, C.-T.; Cheng, W.-N.; Li, H.-Y. The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study. Healthcare 2022, 10, 1755. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9498537/
