Nasal Strips vs. Mouth Tape: Which Is Better for Sleep Breathing?

If you find that you wake up with a dry mouth, a stuffy nose, or an overall tired, half-asleep feeling after spending the night in bed, your breathing during the nighttime hours might be to blame. Snoring and breathing through your mouth can contribute to less comfortable sleep, which is why many people seek ways to breathe better at night.

Nasal strips and mouth tape are both options you may see online. They are meant to keep you breathing at night but in very different ways. So which one should you try?

And the answer has to do with what's causing you to breathe in the first place. Here's a look at how each option works and when each one may have merit.

What Are Nasal Strips?

What are nasal strips? These are small sticky strips that you stick onto your nose, across the bridge. They pull the sides of the nose apart a bit and this can aid in opening up the nasal passages and make it easier to breathe through your nose.

That may be helpful for some people who feel like their nose is narrow or restrictive at night. But research on nasal strips and sleep is all over the map. They may make breathing feel easier for some but they don't treat every cause of snoring or sleep breathing disorder.

What Is Mouth Tape?

Mouth tape is used to force your lips to stay closed while you sleep. The purpose of it is to help cut down on mouth breathing and promote nose breathing.

Individuals may choose to tape their mouths shut to help with snoring, dry mouth or a nighttime nose-breathing practice. Note that there is limited research on mouth taping and that it is not a treatment for sleep apnea. Do not mouth tape if you are unable to breathe through your nose.

Nasal Strips vs Mouth Tape: How Are They Different?

The main distinction between nasal strips and mouth tape is the site of application. The nasal strip is positioned on the nose and is meant to lift the nasal passages. Mouth tape is applied to the lips to prevent mouth breathing while sleeping.

It also means that the reason you are using it is important. If you primarily feel as though your nose is constricted, a nasal strip might be something to give a shot. If you are a natural mouth breather at night and already breathe freely and easily through your nose, mouth tape might be something you want to look into.

When Might Nasal Strips Be More Useful?

Nasal strips might help if you seem to have trouble breathing at night because the reason is that your nose is blocked. They can help slightly open your nose and decrease resistance to airflow.

Nasal strips or dilators may also be helpful if nasal congestion or tubes are narrowing the airways that cause you to snore. But they aren't foolproof. If your snoring is caused by a problem lower down your airway or sleep apnea, opening the nostrils won't necessarily help.

When Might Mouth Tape Be More Useful?

Mouth tape can be more applicable for those who breathe through their mouth while sleeping but can still breathe comfortably through the nose. Mouth tape can help promote nasal breathing while sleeping by keeping the lips lightly sealed.

Others wear mouth tape to stop snoring because they found that mouth breathing could be a reason for snoring and dry mouth. But we do need more research on the topic so just consider it as a sleeping supplement.

Can Nasal Strips and Mouth Tape Be Used Together?

Can I use these products together? It's possible to use both products together and it would make sense, as they work in different ways but only if you can breathe freely through your nose.

Not all patients need both. There are some patients who, when it comes to breathing, should not be using mouth tape. If your nose is stuffy or you have any nasal issues that are making it difficult to breathe through your nose, don't treat your mouth as being sealed shut. It might be best to address the cause of your breathing issue.

Which One Is Better for Snoring?

There isn't one single answer because there isn't one single cause for snoring. Nasal strips might be effective for some when a lack of air is part of the cause of snoring. Mouth tape might be effective for some who snore related to breathing out of the mouth during sleep.

Snoring and sleep apnea are not real solutions to snoring or sleep apnea. If your snoring is loud, occurs nightly or nearly nightly or is associated with choking, gasping, breathing interruptions, or excessive daytime sleepiness, consult your healthcare provider.

What About Dry Mouth?

A dry mouth in the morning. If you wake up regularly with a dry mouth, then mouth breathing might be part of the issue. Mouth breathing while you sleep can lead to a sore throat, dry lips, and bad breath, as well as that feeling of unease in the morning.

Mouth tape might be effective for others because it keeps your lips closed. Additionally, nasal strips can be useful in encouraging nasal breathing because they increase the sensation that the air is passing easily through your nose. Which one works best will depend on the reason you're breathing through your mouth.

Is Mouth Tape Safe for Everyone?

Mouth taping requires a little more effort than taping your mouth shut and going to sleep. If you snore or otherwise breathe through your nose, mouth taping is safe. If your nose is congested, however, mouth taping can hinder your breathing.

Don't mouth tape if you have a cold, stuffy nose or sleep apnea that is not treated. You should also check with your doctor if you have a respiratory condition. Side effects include skin irritation, discomfort, anxiety and interruptions to sleep.

How to Choose Between the Two

What are you actually feeling when you sleep? It looks like your nose is blocked, or you can't breathe easily through your nose? Then it might be better to take a look at nasal strips.

If you can breathe just fine through your nose but still open your mouth at night, using a breathable mouth tape for snoring could be helpful. Comfortably breathing through the nose should be your aim, not simply keeping your mouth shut at any price.

Why Choose MediSupplis Sleeping Mouth Tape?

If mouth taping works for you, look for tape designed for sleep. Anti-snoring mouth tape aims to promote nasal breathing with your mouth closed as you sleep.

This tape is made from soft material and will remain comfortable with gentle, medical-grade adhesive. Its flexible construction moves as your face moves and will hold all night long. Its gentle adhesive is easy to remove in the morning, which is good for sensitive skin.

A Simple Option for Your Nighttime Routine

Sleeping tape by Medi Supplis comes in packs of 30, 60, and 90 strips, so you can pick a pack based on your sleep schedule. Since it is so lightweight, it is easy to add into your bedtime routine without requiring an extra step.

You are looking for a product to promote nasal breathing and decrease mouth breathing during sleep. If you elect to try mouth tape, ensure that you are able to breathe comfortably through the nose before taping and use the product as indicated.

Final Thoughts

Nasal strips and mouth tape both tackle breathing at night, but they each do a different thing. Nasal strips apply across the nose to assist the nasal airways, whereas mouth tape promotes closing of the lips and thus breathing through the nose.

Rather than just asking, "Which is better?" look at the root of your problem. If your nose doesn't let in air well when you're trying to breathe, nasal strips could be helpful. If, on the other hand, your nose is fine when you're sleeping but you sleep with your mouth open, mouth tape could work for you.

More importantly, never put mouth tape on when you have nasal congestion or can't breathe easily through your nose. If you are a habitual snorer or have severe snoring, or snoring with gasping or pauses in breathing, discuss this with your doctor to find out if an actual sleep or breathing disorder is present.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is mouth tape more effective than nose strips for snoring?

Neither is necessarily the right choice. Nasal strips might help if the snoring is caused by nasal breathing that is limited and mouth tape might help if the snoring is caused by mouth breathing.

Q2: Is it safe to wear mouth tape every night?

Some people keep mouth tape in hand to use nightly but you should only do this if you can breathe easily through your nose. Stop use if you notice breathing difficulties or feel uncomfortable or sore.

3. Which mouth tape is best for snoring?

Seek out a product that is specifically indicated for use while sleeping: breathable, comfortable and adhesive for the skin.

4. Do nasal strips stop snoring?

Nasal strips can improve snoring if the opening to the nose isn't wide enough for airflow but the evidence is inconsistent. They don't work for every cause of snoring.

5. Is it possible to wear a breathable one?

Do I need both? Some individuals may be told they require both as they breathe differently. But you should be able to breathe easily through your nose before applying mouth tape.

6. How does snoring tape differ from nose strips?

Commonly, 'snoring tape' is a sticker that is applied on the lips to promote nasal breathing. The use of nasal strips across the nose to open up the nasal passages is also popular.

7. Is tape for quiet sleep safe?

It varies from person to person and product to product. You shouldn't use mouth tape if you have trouble breathing through your nose or nasal congestion.

8. Will sleeping with mouth tape cause dry mouth?

Dry Mouth Due to Mouth Breathing. If you breathe through your mouth while you sleep, dry mouth may be your problem. Dry mouth can also be caused by a wide variety of other factors.

9. Which mouth tape is best to use for sleep?

The top choices are determined by your needs, but you should prefer a material that is breathable, with skin-friendly glue, a comfortable fit and is easy to peel away.

10. Can mouth tape treat sleep apnea?

No. Not if you have sleep apnea. If you have loud snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, gasping or excessive daytime sleepiness, speak to your doctor.