Mouth tape — new to me
I was going to write “Who knew?”, but clearly a great many know since many brands of mouth tape are listed online. At right is a photo of the box I received yesterday, whose catalog entry reads:
KACEEY Mouth Tape 120 Pcs, Mouth Tape for Sleeping, Anti Snoring Devices for Better Nose Breathing, Less Mouth Breathing, Improved Nighttime Sleeping and Instant Snoring Relief
I learned of these via a comment by reader Tucker. I seem to be a mouth breather while asleep, waking up with a very dry mouth from time to time during the night, to the degree that I keep some water by the bed. I don’t notice that I snore, but of course, I wouldn’t.
At any rate, they were relatively cheap — 9¢ a night in US$ for one-time use of each — so I thought I’d try them. Last night was the first try.
The package says that they are “barely noticeable.” I assumed that was marketing hyperbole, but it is absolutely true. I could not tell that the tape was in place — I could not feel it all, except that I could not open my mouth. (No yawn possible.) But I slept easily — in fact, noticeably better than my normal night’s sleep. And this morning the tape peeled painlessly and easily away. It doesn’t resist being pulled off, but it fairly strongly resists being pulled sideways.
I’m impressed. The tape comes on little squares of nonstick paper — you peel off one to apply. I returned last night’s tape to the paper from which it came, curious to know whether it would stick for another night. [Tried it for a nap. It didn’t stick well enough to use a second time. – LG]
Thanks, Tucker.
Later On 
I thought it was a joke at first. Glad it worked. I’ll refer it to my snoring/CPAP friends.
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Steve
19 March 2023 at 11:39 am
It doesn’t help that the image is clearly photoshopped. They probably could not use an actual photo of the tape in place because once applied it is pretty much invisible.
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Leisureguy
19 March 2023 at 11:41 am
Michael, it was quite a revelation for me when I learned of it by word of mouth (pun intended). It seems to be quite ubiquitous on Amazon. The box that I have has 90 and some have 120. They all seem fairly similar. To your point, the price is quite affordable per night. I use it vertically, as pictured on the box. A coworker uses it horizontally across his mouth and lips, as he wears a full beard. I also had a full beard at the time that I learned of it. Since then, I have been clean shaven to promote the mouth tape to adhere well. I have been able to readjust it soon after application, but I have not yet tried using it more than once.
I had my first root canal this year at age 46. Although, I have excellent oral hygiene, a cavity was discovered in an upper premolar back in 2020 that after being filled more than once, it eventually resulted in the root canal. My dental hygienist had said that nighttime mouth breathing causes tartar and plaque buildup irrespective of one’s dental care regimen. For me, the main benefit of the mouth tape is to help me avoid having a dry mouth overnight. I even apply it before I take an afternoon nap. It is nice to wake up and not have a dry mouth and be parched. The other big benefit is that sleep cycles can be lengthened when one’s “bladder alarm” goes off less frequently. Please continue to update on how it works for you and any friends and family members that may try it.
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Ryan
19 March 2023 at 11:59 am
I had a beard for more than 30 years, but now I am notoriously clean-shaven. For me, a good shave is a fine start to the day (assuming that a good razor and shaving soap are used). 🙂
Good idea to use mouth tape for naps. I’ll definitely do that.
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Leisureguy
19 March 2023 at 12:23 pm
Michael, how is the mouth tape working for you? I have the variety you pictured on the way to me from Amazon to try. I had a slightly different package that contains 90. I’ll let you know if the contents are the same. A couple of nights ago, I slept straight through or only woke up once (I couldn’t remember) which is an improvement over my usual two times waking up per night. It really is a low cost thing that can be done to improve one’s health and well being. I am surprised it doesn’t get much press. My dental hygienist, that I’ve known since the early 1990’s, had not heard of it before.
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Ryan
22 March 2023 at 5:40 pm
They’re working great. I did discover that applying the tape sideways works better — that is, the X is taller than wide, and I turn it so the tall axis is sideways. Also, it’s important to apply the tape when lips are relaxed and in a natural position, since that position will be held.
I do believe that I am sleeping better, but after a month, I’ll know for sure.
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Leisureguy
22 March 2023 at 5:43 pm
Michael, did you stick with the mouth tape and/ or did any of your family members try it?
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Ryan
20 April 2023 at 5:47 pm
I use the mouth tape every night and I like it a lot. I avoid the dry mouth that I used to get from breathing through mouth, and since I’m not breathing through my mouth, I’m not snoring. The tope continues to be comfortable, and I feel that I am getting better sleep. When this box runs out, I’ll definitely get another.
No one else has tried it yet, so far as I know. I do like it a lot.
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Leisureguy
20 April 2023 at 5:54 pm