Mouth tape? You’ll be surprised.

Sent by Breath Curriculum | April 9, 2025

Something Personal: I Taped My Mouth Last Night

 Yesterday, a student who completed the Functional Breathing Certificate told me:

“As soon as I started mouth taping, I stopped waking up to pee at night.”

This had been a nightly habit for him, and finally, he found a way to sleep through the night.

This reminded me to start taping again. I had fallen out of the habit, assuming I was nose breathing since I didn’t notice any signs of mouth breathing (find out if you’re a mouth breather at night below).

But this morning — coincidence or not — I woke up earlier than usual, feeling more rested and ready for the day.

Small habits can go a long way. Make sure to read the safety notes.

Something Scientific: Is Mouth Breathing Really That Bad? 

Unfortunately, yes... Here are a few things that might surprise you:

  • Dehydration – You lose 42%(!) more water exhaling through your mouth compared to your nose. Mouth tape — the beauty hack no one saw coming.

  • Increased blood pressure and heart rate – Mouth breathing can stress your body and disrupt deep, restorative sleep.

  • Poor oral health – A dry mouth removes your saliva, which has protective properties, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

  • Facial changes in children – Habitual mouth breathing can affect facial growth, potentially resulting in what’s known as adenoid facies, along with misaligned teeth and breathing issues.

150 years ago, George Catlin wrote in his book Shut Your Mouth and Save Your Life that he saw Native American mothers gently pinch their babies’ lips together after breastfeeding — knowing the importance of nose breathing.

Something For You To Practice: Are You a Mouth Breather?

Signs you might be mouth breathing at night:

  • Waking up with a dry mouth

  • Needing to pee during the night

  • Feeling unusually thirsty in the morning

  • Snoring

  • Drooling on the pillow

  • Waking up with dry or chapped lips

Important! Before taping, make sure to read the safety information. You can find them in this post or any of the breathing courses.

 

Key takeaway: Your mouth is for eating, your nose is for breathing — and thankfully, your mouth is there as a backup when your nose gets blocked.

Next up: Can you breathe too much — and why does this matter, especially for people with asthma?

Best,
Elsa

P.S. Think someone would benefit from this newsletter? Share this link.