When it comes to snoring solutions, something you'll discover is that there are two types of tape that people use. One goes over the nose, and one goes over the mouth. Let's uncover which one would work best for you or your partner!
How Nasal Strips Work and How to Use Them
Nasal strips are one of the most commonly known and used devices for snoring prevention and sleep improvement. They’re made from a reflexive yet stiff material that fits over the nostrils. Once adhered to the skin, the spring-like material tries to straighten back flat, which lifts the nostrils and opens the passageways. This can improve congestion and make it easier to breathe. Nasal strips are great for treating congestion caused by allergies, a deviated septum, or even the common cold. Snoring caused by congestion is reduced with the use of nasal strips. Snoring is reduced because air can more easily pass through your airways, meaning that vibrations between tissues that cause snoring are reduced.
To use nasal strips, you should first begin with a clean and makeup-free face. Be sure to thoroughly dry your nose as well, since nasal strips can’t adhere to wet or oily skin. Next, remove the liner from the adhesive back of the strip. Position it on your nose directly in the center with the tabs of each side placed on the parts of your nostrils that flare. The tabs shouldn’t completely cover the flares, though, it’s best if they sit just above. Once you’ve got the placement down, rub over the strip repeatedly to stick it to the skin. There are different sizes available to fit a variety of nose types, so be sure that the size you select is right for you. Once you’re ready to remove the strip, it’s important to do it slowly. It helps to wash your face with warm water to help loosen the adhesive on the edges. Grab each tab and gently lift the strip from your nose. Although nasal strips help with nasal congestion, they don’t necessarily prevent you from mouth breathing, which is harmful to your health.
The Problem With Mouth Breathing
Since nasal breathing promotes parasympathetic activation, our rest and relaxation response, mouth tape can help everyone reach and maintain restful sleep. Nitric oxide is produced during nasal breathing, which kills bacteria in the air we breathe in, decreases blood pressure, boosts immunity, helps maintain homeostasis, and reduces stress. It also increases arterial oxygen tension, meaning that it boosts lung capacity and makes it easier on the body to absorb oxygen. Since mouth breathers keep the tongue in an abnormal placement, they usually experience abnormal tongue activity. Abnormal tongue activity leads to mouth breathers putting more force upon the teeth than needed when swallowing. In children, this can cause facial deformities. In adults, this leads to periodontal disease and a slew of other dental, oral, and myofascial problems. But the issues don’t stop there.
In addition to facial deformities, irregular swallowing patterns, and incorrect tongue placement, mouth breathing can also cause issues with posture. People who regularly breathe through their mouths tend to carry their heads forward more than non-mouth breathers. This posture is usually unconscious and helps to compensate for the restriction of the airway that mouth breathing causes. Poor posture leads to back pain, rounded shoulders, and degeneration of the joints. That’s why it’s important to avoid mouth breathing altogether. Taping your mouth to stop snoring (and to stop mouth breathing) is key.
How Mouth Strips Work and How to Use Them
Mouth strips help promote nasal breathing by cutting out the option to mouth breathe. With the mouth closed, the tongue can rest against the roof of the mouth where it belongs. This correct tongue posture means that the jaw doesn’t drop and the airway remains open, leaving a clear path for breath to pass through. Without mouth strips, the mouth falls open and the jaw drops down. This causes the tongue to fall backward into the airway. As a result, nose breathing is interrupted, leading to mouth breathing and snoring. Taping the mouth shut to stop snoring is extremely effective. Mouth tape keeps the mouth closed so that air can remain flowing through the nose. Mouth tape strips can also be useful for CPAP users since mouth breathing reduces CPAP compliance and effectiveness. If you wear a nasal mask or nasal pillow, mouth tape strips can boost compliance and help you nasal breathe all night long.
To use mouth strips, begin with clean and dry lips. Then, separate the strip from the liner. Put your lips together and turn them slightly inward. Next, line up the center of the strip with the middle of the lips. Apply the strip and rub over it to ensure that it has adhered. To remove mouth strips, simply force your mouth open and allow the jaw to do all of the hard work. After your mouth is open, pull off the rest of the strip with your fingers.
Two is Better Than One
Nasal strips were created to help reduce snoring and open up nasal passageways. The concept is pretty straightforward: open the nostrils and air will be able to move through the nose with ease. But when you sleep, your jaw relaxes, which leads to the mouth falling open - nasal strip or not. When the mouth falls open, that means mouth breathing. Mouth breathing is harmful to your overall health, since it causes dry mouth, poor oral health, and worsens nasal congestion. It can also worsen the symptoms of other pre-existing illnesses and cause lowered immune function. This renders nasal strips almost useless since snoring and other mouth breathing issues are still possible.
If you want to maximize nose breathing and your defense against snoring, using mouth strips and nasal strips together makes for a dynamic duo. When you combine the power of nasal strips and mouth strips, your lips remain zipped while the nostrils dilate. This means optimal airflow through the nostrils while ensuring that you keep nasal breathing all night long.
SomniFix is Superior
When shopping for mouth tape strips, the options can seem overwhelming, SomniFix strips take all of your concerns into account with our design. Our strips have a vent that allows you to breathe through the mouth if it becomes necessary. The material of our strips is latex-free, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, and made from environmentally conscious materials - making them perfect for sensitive skin. Discover the world of SomniFix today!
