THE latest viral hack to “cure snoring” is getting rave reviews from those plagued with the sleep problem.
But does it work, and would experts recommend the tip, which on the surface seems rather harmless?
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Alexis Fischer shared the hack on her TikTok account, lexfiish, where it has been viewed more than 4.5 million times.
In the video Alexis tells users about “mouth taping”, whereby you tape the mouth shut before bed so that you breathe from your nose rather than mouth while sleeping.
Alexis said: “It prevents you mouth breathing all night, and you will get the deepest sleep you will ever experience.
“It is a little uncomfortable at first and you will have to get used to it, but try it out.”
Alexis said you should consult your doctor before trying this method.
Mouth tapes cost as little as £5 on Amazon, making it a cheap solution for snorers everywhere.
Many people commented that the tip was “game-changing”.
The Sleep Foundation website says mouth taping “might be beneficial” for snoring, and this has been proven in some small studies.
It appears to be effective in people who have sleep apnoea, a disorder that causes a person’s airways to shut repetitively throughout the night, resulting in snoring and gasping/choking sounds.
One of the main symptoms of sleep apnoea is tiredness in the day – which mouth taping also appears to relieve.
It is not clear if it works for people who are regular snorers.
And, although people claim mouth taping helps with fatigue, concentration issues and bad breath, this evidence is only anecdotal so far.
The Sleep Foundation says: “Before trying mouth taping for sleep, it is a good idea to test the mouth strips during the day.
“If you have difficulty breathing through your nose due to allergies, nasal polyps, or another reason, you should avoid mouth taping.”
Any negative side effects of mouth taping have not yet been fully studied, the Sleep Foundation says.
It may be uncomfortable for those who are anxious about having their mouth forced shut, which could disrupt sleep more.
Those who have difficulty breathing only through the nose, such as if they have a deviated septum, could have their breathing obstructed even more.
People may have irritation on or around the lips or pain when ripping off the tape, especially those with facial hair.
I haven’t tried it myself nor would I recommend it to others due to the limited clinical data
Olivia Arezzolo
Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo told 9Honey: “Mouth taping is believed to reduce the likelihood of snoring and apneas (temporary lapses in breathing); which can otherwise leave you fatigued and foggy through the day.”
But she warned there isn’t enough clinical data to prove the technique actually works, and says it can “potentially” be dangerous if used in the wrong way.
Olivia said: “I haven’t tried it myself nor would I recommend it to others due to the limited clinical data.
“With regards to snoring and sleep apnoea, techniques with greater scientific evidence include weight reduction and ensuring you are at a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol, sleeping on your side or a wedge pillow, and in the case of sleep apnoea specifically, using a CPAP mask.”
Professor Leon Lack of Flinders University, who specialises in sleep disorders, also said he had “not heard of any studies showing mouth taping to be an effective treatment” for insomnia.
It’s always worth seeing your GP if you think you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea, which is linked to various other health problems like high blood pressure and stroke.
A GP can refer you for tests to see how severe the sleep apnoea is and help you to get treatment.
Otherwise, you could try these five exercises for the throat and mouth which may reduce snoring.
There are dozens of tricks to help combat the irritating problem, from taping a tennis ball to your back to sipping olive oil before bed.
For more sleep tips, read expert advice on how to hack your evening routine and get to sleep earlier.