5 Ways Sleep Tape Improves Facial Structure

October 23, 2024

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Sleep tape helps train your face muscles by keeping your mouth closed during sleep, forcing you to breathe through your nose. Here's what nose breathing does for your face shape:

But here's the truth: Sleep tape won't magically reshape your face overnight. It's just a tool to fix mouth breathing, which can change how your face develops - especially in kids.

Quick Facts:

• 12-55% of kids breathe through their mouth
• Mouth breathing makes faces longer and narrower
• Changes are biggest between ages 6-12
• Adults see smaller changes

Don't Use Sleep Tape If You:

• Can't breathe through your nose
• Have a stuffy nose
• Have asthma
• Have sleep apnea

Bottom line: Sleep tape helps by making you breathe through your nose. That's it. The face changes come from better breathing habits, not the tape itself.

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What Is Sleep Tape?

Sleep tape is a strip of porous, hypoallergenic tape you put on your mouth while sleeping. It's that simple: the tape keeps your mouth closed, making you breathe through your nose instead.

Here's what makes it work:

When you breathe through your nose, you get benefits your mouth can't provide:

• Air filtering to catch dust and allergens
• Temperature control to warm the air
• Natural moisturizing for each breath

But here's the thing: sleep tape isn't for everyone. Don't use it if you:

• Can't breathe well through your nose
• Have a stuffy nose
• Have asthma
• Have sleep apnea

"Mouth taping could cause an allergic reaction from the tape or a skin irritation or rash", says Dr. Cinthya Pena Orbea, Sleep Medicine Specialist. "Always consult your doctor before trying it."

Want to try it? Here's what Lulltape offers:

Before you start:

• Try the tape while you're awake
• Put on some lip balm first
• Only use medical-grade or surgical tape
• Take it off if breathing gets hard

Bottom line: Sleep tape might help your breathing at night, but it's not magic. It's just one tool in your sleep toolkit.

Better Jaw Position

Sleep tape keeps your mouth closed while you sleep, which helps your jaw stay in the right spot. Here's what happens when you switch from mouth to nose breathing:

Your tongue does most of the work. With nose breathing, your tongue sits against the roof of your mouth, which:

• Keeps your jaw forward
• Helps bones grow correctly
• Makes face muscles stronger

"When you breathe through your nose, your tongue naturally fills your palate space and pushes up and out. This helps your jawbones grow forward." - Albert Silvera, DDS

Kids and teens see the biggest changes, but adults can benefit too. Here's what Dr. Arash Moradzadeh, head and neck surgeon, says:

"Mouth breathing is a big problem, especially before puberty. It changes how your face grows and what you end up looking like."

Research from Wuhan University shows clear differences between mouth and nose breathers:

Lulltape sleep tape helps by:

• Keeping your mouth closed at night
• Making nose breathing your default
• Putting your tongue in the right spot
• Keeping jaw muscles active

While sleep tape won't change your bone structure in one night, it helps train better jaw position during sleep. Over time, this supports better facial development.

2. Stronger Cheekbones

Sleep tape helps build better cheekbones by making you breathe through your nose while you sleep. Here's what happens when you breathe through your mouth:

Your cheek muscles get tight and push against your jaw. This pressure:

• Makes your face narrow
• Flattens your cheekbones
• Stretches your face longer

"When kids breathe through their mouth while their face is growing, it leads to a long, narrow face that can't fit their teeth or tongue properly." - Albert Silvera, DDS

The American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics backs this up. Their research shows mouth breathers end up with:

• Flat cheekbones
• Narrow faces
• Small upper jaws

"If you start mouth breathing before puberty, it can COMPLETELY change how your face grows and what you'll look like." - Arash Moradzadeh, MD

Sleep tape helps by:

• Keeping your mouth shut at night
• Putting your tongue in the right spot
• Letting your cheek muscles relax
• Supporting normal face growth

Want the best results? Use sleep tape at night and practice good tongue position during the day. This helps your face muscles work right and builds better cheekbones over time.

3. Closed-Mouth Rest Position

Sleep tape helps keep your mouth closed at night. This simple fix sets up your face muscles and jaw in their best position.

Here's something that might shock you: Between 12-55% of kids breathe through their mouths. And it's NOT just a bad habit - it can change how their faces develop.

"When a child is breathing normally, the breathing is silent, rhythmic and effortless." - Dr. Jennifer Wallace, Dentist

An open mouth causes 4 main problems:

• Tight cheek muscles
• Dropped and misaligned jaw
• Longer facial structure
• Narrow upper jaw

Want a simple fix? Try sleep tape. Products like Lulltape (€43.95 for 36 strips) keep your mouth closed while you sleep.

But here's the thing:

You can't JUST rely on tape at night. You need good habits during the day too:

• Keep lips together when not talking
• Rest tongue on roof of mouth
• Chew on both sides
• Use nose breathing

"Habitual mouth breathing can lead to changes in the shape of the face during a child's development." - Dr. Randi Green, The Smile Doctor

Before you start using sleep tape:

• Test it during daytime
• Apply petroleum jelly to lips
• Check your nose breathing
• Get doctor's OK if you have breathing problems

Bottom line: A closed mouth does more than look good - it filters air, adds moisture, and keeps your mouth healthy during sleep.

4. Normal Face Length

Mouth breathing changes your face shape - making it longer and thinner than normal. Sleep tape helps fix this by keeping your mouth shut while you sleep.

Here's what happens:

By age 6, kids have about 60% of their adult face shape. That's why catching mouth breathing early matters SO much. Kids between 6-12 face the biggest risks.

"Mouth breathing is a major issue especially if this started before puberty because it can have such a huge impact on the way that your facial structure grows and the end result of what your face is going to look like." - Dr. Arash Moradzadeh, dual board-certified surgeon

The data shows clear patterns:

"Being a mouth breather when you're a child and your face is developing can lead to an elongated and narrow facial shape that does not have room for teeth or tongue." - Dr. Albert Silvera, doctor of dental surgery

"Studies have shown that normal nasal respiration is how our faces develop properly, and is necessary for growth of balanced facial structures." - Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS

Sleep tape works by:

• Keeping your mouth closed at night
• Making nose breathing the default
• Putting your tongue in the right spot
• Helping your jaw stay aligned

Science backs this up: When researchers blocked monkey noses to force mouth breathing, they saw big changes in face shape. But here's the good news - fixing breathing patterns can stop these changes.

Want the best results? Here's what to do:

• Start using sleep tape early
• Use it every night
• Keep your nose clear
• Practice nose breathing during the day

Bottom line: A longer face isn't just about looks - it often means less room for teeth and tongue, which can cause breathing issues down the road.

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5. Better Nose Function

Your nose is your body's built-in air filter. But here's the problem: 80% of people don't use it right. They breathe through their mouths instead.

Sleep tape FORCES you to breathe through your nose. Here's what happens when you do:

When you breathe through your mouth, you miss ALL of these benefits. Plus, you end up with:

• A dry, scratchy throat
• Morning breath
• More colds and infections
• Bad sleep quality
• Stuffy sinuses

How to Know if You Need Sleep Tape Do a quick 3-minute test: Try breathing ONLY through your nose. Can't do it? Sleep tape might help.

Other signs you might need it:

• Your mouth feels like sandpaper in the morning
• You snore (ask your partner or record yourself)
• You wake up with a sore throat

Sleep Tape Options and Costs:

Before You Start: Check with your doctor first if you have:

• Stuffed-up nose
• Allergies
• Trouble breathing
• Sleep apnea

Bottom line: Your nose is the perfect breathing machine. Sleep tape just makes sure you use it.

Research and Studies

Studies show how mouth breathing changes your face. Let's look at what researchers found:

A big study of kids under 18 found specific changes in mouth breathers:

• The upper jaw tilts back 1.63°
• The lower jaw rotates down 1.96°
• The airway gets 3.48mm smaller

"Kids who mouth breathe end up with smaller mid-faces, nasal spaces and jaws. They miss out on the normal resistance that nose breathing provides." - Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS

How Your Face Changes

The numbers show three main problem spots:

What Doctors Say

"Once these changes happen to your bones and face muscles, they usually stick around. And they're not good for you." - Dr. Bill Williams, Suwanee Dental Care

"Nose breathing puts your tongue in the right spot - up against your palate. This pushes your jaw forward like it should." - Dr. Albert Silvera, Doctor of Dental Surgery

Spot the Signs

Here's what the measurements tell us:

Bottom line: Mouth breathing WILL change your face shape, especially if you're young. But there's good news - sleep tape can help by keeping your mouth closed at night, making you breathe through your nose.

How to Use Sleep Tape

Here's a simple guide to using sleep tape safely and getting the most from it.

Quick Safety Check Don't use sleep tape if you:

• Have a cold or feel sick
• Drank alcohol
• Can't breathe through your nose
• Feel anxious
• Are under 5 years old

Before You Start

Tape Options

Products We Like

Taking It Off

1. Wet face with warm water
2. Hold skin tight
3. Peel slowly from one corner
4. Wipe off any sticky stuff

Quick Tips

• Fold one corner for easy removal
• Keep scissors close (just in case)
• Start with short periods
• Pay attention to your breathing
• Notice how your sleep changes

Want better results? Try this breathing exercise before bed:

1. Take 3 easy breaths
2. Hold for 10-20 seconds
3. Do this 4 times

Important: Stop using sleep tape and talk to your doctor if breathing feels hard or you're not comfortable.

Safety and Warnings

Let's talk about mouth taping safety. Here's what you need to know before trying it:

First things first: Talk to your doctor if you have:

• Sleep apnea
• Heart or lung issues
• Nasal polyps
• BMI over 35

Stop Right Away If You:

• Can't breathe easily
• Get a rash
• Sleep worse
• Feel anxious
• Have mouth pain

"Mouth taping might trigger allergic reactions or skin irritation." - Dr. Cinthya Pena Orbea, MD

"This is dangerous and doesn't fix the root problem." - Dr. Federico Cerrone, Sleep Medicine Specialist

Don't Use These:

• Duct tape
• Regular tape
• Random adhesives
• Old medical tape

Start Smart:

• Test for 1 hour during day
• Keep scissors close
• Pick medical-grade tape
• Clean your face well
• Remove if uncomfortable

"Skip the social media medical advice - talk to real healthcare pros." - Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN

Summary

Sleep tape doesn't change your face - it just helps you breathe better. Here's what science tells us:

The truth? It's all about HOW you breathe, not the tape itself.

"Chronic mouth breathers can affect their facial structure over time. But using mouth tape for a few nights won't change your bone structure." - Dr. Nilong Vyas, board-certified sleep expert

A 2022 Wuhan University study backs this up: nasal breathing shapes facial growth. The tape's just there to help make it a habit.

Want to try sleep tape? Here's what to do:

Here's what you'll pay for good sleep tape:

"Your jawline won't change shape just from mouth taping and nose breathing, especially not quickly." - Dr. Bhardwaj, Clinical Director and Principal Dentist of The Smile Studio Dental Group

Important: Check with your doctor first, especially if you have breathing problems or sleep apnea.

FAQs

Does mouth breathing change face shape?

Yes, mouth breathing changes how your face looks. Studies show this happens to 12-55% of kids who breathe through their mouth.

Here's what mouth breathing does to your face:

"Mouth-breathing makes the face long and narrow. The jaw becomes less prominent, and both the chin and lower jaw move backward." - Dr. Mani Bhardwaj, Clinical Director and Principal Dentist of The Smile Studio Dental Group

Kids between 6-12 years old show these changes the most. Their growing faces can develop what doctors call an "adenoid face" from mouth breathing:

"Kids ages 6-12 face the biggest risk. Their faces are still growing, making them more likely to develop an opposite face shape from mouth breathing." - Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS

The bottom line? Mouth breathing doesn't just affect your breathing - it can actually reshape your face, especially in growing children.

Related posts

• Common Questions About Sleep Mouth Taping Answered
• 7 Benefits of Nasal Breathing During Sleep
• Top 6 Benefits of Using Sleep Tape for Snoring
• Nasal Breathing vs Mouth Breathing: Key Differences