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Mouth taping for dry mouth, CPAP and snoring is my topic on this Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast with Nicholas Michalak. I don’t use a CPAP machine and I don’t mouth breathe during the day but I learned years ago I was mouth breathing at night. I’ve been taping my mouth at night ever since.
When we lie on our backs, gravity tends to let our jaw drop. We then breathe through the mouth instead of the nose. The resulting vibration of air on throat tissues creates the sounds of snoring. Or, the airway may be partially obstructed, often due to obesity, and true sleep apnea can result.
What’s Wrong with Mouth Breathing?
Our nostrils have only one purpose – to breathe. They warm, filter and humidify air and direct it to a specific area in the back of the sinus.
The mouth is meant for food, drink and talking. It should stay closed at all other times, keeping the mouth and throat moist. Alkaline saliva in the mouth helps maintain a dental Microbiome where cavities, plaque and receding gums are kept at bay.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Mouth breathing is poor oral hygiene. When we breathe through the mouth, it will dry up. Dry mouth allows bacteria to grow, giving us bad breath and making us prone to cavities and receding gums.
The nighttime solution is simple – wear soft lightweight Somnifix mouth strips. I wear them without fail. I used to use 3M Micropore tape but it left sticky residue on my face, was hard to pull off, and left dry skin around my mouth.
Medications and medical conditions can cause dry mouth too. Check the internet for side effects of durgs, and ask your doctor if your dry mouth is part of a bigger health problem.
Mouth Taping to Improve CPAP Compliance
If you have sleep apnea, you may have a CPAP machine to gently force pressurized air into your nostrils. The masks are not always well-fitted and patients may still mouth breathe or have air leakage from the mouth.
Mouth tape will help your CPAP be more effective. You’ll be more likely to wear the mask through the night as well. If you are sleeping deeper – thanks to mouth taping – you’ll feel better.
Wellness Beyond CPAP
The wellness goal is to avoid having to use a CPAP and address the causes of your apnea. While you’re working on your weight, Paleo Diet, alcohol consumption, pillow adjustments and the rest, get the full benefit of your CPAP. And no chin straps!
Can Mouth Taping Help Snoring?
If one major cause of snoring is breathing with an open mouth, Somnifix mouth strips will handle that issue quickly. You gently curve your lips together and apply the featherweight strips to a closed clean mouth (no lip balm) and there you have it.
Mouth breathing is destructive to sleep quality as it can cause snoring, dry mouth, allergies and sore throat. Snoring is often a precursor to sleep apnea.
Practice a bit to get used to the tape. Try it in the evening a few times before using it all night. I only needed one night to feel totally comfortable with it. I noticed right away that I was not waking up from the sound of my own snoring.
The tape pops off easily if you cough or need to talk. Remember – it’s lightweight and flexible.
What if Your Nose is Clogged Up?
If you physically cannot breathe through your nose, see an ENT to diagnose the problem. If it is the allergy of the day making you congested, order this OrthoMolecular product which I truly love and cherish from my online store. We sell a lot of it and we’re priced much lower than Amazon.
Can Mouth Breathing Cause Sinus Problems?
Yes, absolutely.
If we mouth breathe and the oral and sinus cavities dry out, we secrete extra mucous to protect our teeth, gums and sinuses. Keeping the mouth closed often helps clear up low grade sinus congestion that is not from infection or a deformity in the sinus.
Many clients report their allergies improve when they breathe 24/7 through the nose.
A good Probiotic can help too. Here’s one of four in my online store that I use everyday with clients.
Who Designed Somnifix Mouth Strips?
I asked Nicholas Michalak from Somnifix.com this question in this Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast (see the player at the top of this article or find us on Apple tunes, etc.).
His father designed the mouth strips several years ago. He had sleep apnea and was unable to wear his CPAP mask all night as he still tried to mouth breathe. With millions of CPAP users and studies showing the benefits of mouth taping, he set out to make the strips. Improved compliance was his reward and he can wear the CPAP all night now.
Oxygen, CO2 and Hemoglobin
I write about the balance of O2 and CO2 in this article and in this Buteyko Breathing podcast with Patrick McKeown. We tend to hyperventilate when we mouth breathe, losing our CO2 which we require to signal the release of Hemoglobin and to keep us in Para-Sympathetic (relaxing) mode.
This article on Overbreathing tells more. This is important for athletes, those with ADHD, anxiety, and everyday folks wanting to regain their energy.
Nasal breathing can help many conditions and there are many athletes who swear by it.
Try a Box of Mouth Strips
Somnifix Mouth Strips are sold on Somnifix’s excellent website, or on Amazon. I can’t recommend them highly enough. If I travel, they are the first thing to go in my bag. Listen to the podcast with Somnifix’ CEO and learn more! Or listen to my previous podcast on this topic with me talking solo.
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