Sleep
Mouth tape for sleep
Adhesive strips placed over the lips at night, marketed to stop mouth breathing; evidence is thin and there are real safety concerns.
Why it helps
Some CPAP users with nasal or pillows masks use tape to reduce mouth leaks. However, a 2025 systematic review in PLOS ONE (Rhee and colleagues, 10 studies) found that most studies showed no difference with mouth taping and that some discussed potential risks, including asphyxiation in the presence of nasal obstruction. The authors concluded there is a potentially serious risk of harm for people practicing the trend indiscriminately. Mouth tape is not a treatment for sleep apnea.
How to choose
Only consider mouth tape if your sleep clinician has said it is appropriate for you. If they agree, choose a product made for skin and sleep that releases easily, and that leaves part of the lips uncovered or has a vent so you can still breathe through your mouth. Proven alternatives for mouth leaks include a chinstrap or a full face mask.
Use only with your clinician's OK. Do not use mouth tape if you have any nasal blockage (a cold, allergies, a deviated septum, nasal polyps), nausea or reflux, if you have been drinking alcohol or taking sedatives, or if you could not remove it quickly yourself. Never use it on children. Do not use it as a substitute for prescribed CPAP.
Frequently asked questions
Is mouth taping safe with CPAP?
The evidence does not establish that it is. A 2025 systematic review found little benefit and flagged risks including asphyxiation with nasal obstruction. Talk to your sleep clinician first, and consider a chinstrap or full face mask instead.
Can mouth tape treat sleep apnea?
No. The 2025 review found no solid evidence that it treats sleep apnea, and it should never replace prescribed CPAP.
What is a safer fix for mouth leaks on a nasal mask?
A chinstrap or a switch to a full face mask are the usual options. Treating nasal congestion, with your clinician's advice, also helps many people keep their mouth closed.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error