In recent months, videos of influencers sleeping with their mouths glued together have dominated TikTok. “Mouth taping”, a practice that involves closing the lips with tape at night to supposedly improve sleep and bring aesthetic benefits, has become a glamorized self-care routine. Between promises of waking up with more beautiful skin, a more defined jawline and a radiant awakening, thousands of users began to replicate the ritual without questioning its real effectiveness, or its risks.
But research may call this trend into question. The study published in the magazine is an extensive analysis of the topic and dismantles much of the hype. According to the study, the practice became popular mainly after viral posts and excited testimonials, not due to medical evidence, a warning about how risky behaviors have guided it.
Trend review
The study analyzed 177 scientific studies, but only nine actually investigated the impact of mouth taping during the . This shows how scarce the literature is on something that has become so common on the networks.
In addition, the study also examined the 50 most popular videos related to the practice, seeking to understand why it spread so quickly and how its promises reached the public. The conclusion was clear: the trend is driven by aesthetic desires and a digital culture of quick fixes, not robust evidence.
Abundant promises and almost no scientific support
By analyzing the platform’s videos, the research found that creators attribute to mouth taping a long list of supposed benefits:
- improved sleep;
- reduction of snoring;
- prevention of cavities and bad breath;
- increased energy;
- improves skin;
- more defined jawline;
- improves breathing and “oxygenation” of the body.
These promises appear with high frequency: 36% of the videos state that the method provides more restorative sleep and up to 24% relate the practice to health benefits. There are also videos that suggest improving facial aesthetics, such as preventing a “gummy smile” and a “more marked chin”.
But, when comparing these claims with the literature, the study states that there is no scientific evidence to support most of these benefits. None of the studies evaluated demonstrate improvement in skin, facial definition, jaw strengthening, increased energy, immunity, oral health or any of the effects widely shared on the networks.
What exists, in fact, is only a limited number of studies suggesting improvement in very specific cases of mild apnea and mouth breathers, conclusions that should not be extrapolated to the general population.
And the risks? They hardly appear on the networks
The study shows that only 20% of the videos analyzed mention any risk associated with mouth taping. This means that a large part of the public adopts the practice believing that it is something safe because it is “natural” and “simple”.
However, the review highlights several potential risks, especially for those who have:
- sleep apnea (diagnosed or not);
- allergies and rhinitis;
- deviated septum;
- sinusitis;
- difficulty breathing through the nose;
- asma.
According to the research, videos that claim benefits for asthma, for example, are in direct contradiction with scientific results, which show that the practice does not improve the condition.
Other risks cited in the study include:
- reduced oxygenation during sleep;
- feeling of suffocation;
- increased anxiety;
- skin irritation;
- possibility of snoring worsening in certain cases;
- obstruction of an airway that should remain free.
In some videos analyzed, users even claim that mouth taping “cures”, something that the study classifies as unproven and potentially dangerous.
Why did the trend go so viral?
The study points out that most of the videos are produced by people without medical training, even though the tone presented is often authoritative. Adoption is growing because the content aligns with TikTok’s aspirational aesthetic: visually pleasing nighttime routines, minimalist products, and the promise of waking up to “a better version of yourself.”
Furthermore, personal testimonials, even without a scientific basis, tend to generate more identification, sharing and trust than technical data. The review also shows that only two videos cited real scientific studies, reinforcing the distance between science and viral narrative.
What does science really know so far?
The review points out that, despite the great expectations generated in the networks, the available evidence is extremely limited, heterogeneous and insufficient. The studies have small samples, very different methodologies, and inconsistent results.
The final conclusion of the aforementioned research is clear: it is too early to recommend mouth taping as a safe or effective practice for the general population. A much larger quantity of high-quality studies is needed.
