TESS Daly’s top tip for a ‘restful sleep’ has been dismissed as ‘frankly bonkers’ by an expert, who also warns that trying it could be dangerous.
Previously, the Strictly Come Dancing presenter revealed that she tapes her mouth shut before going to sleep, claiming it gives her a ‘more restful sleep’.
The 55-year-old shared pictures of herself on social media showing mouth tape holding her lips together.
This trend has also gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts, with the hashtag #mouthtape amassing over 51.5k posts.
The TikTok trend has even been endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow.
According to the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, breathing through the nose has several benefits.
They explain that the nose helps to filter out dust and pollen, while also preventing the airways from becoming irritated.
Mouth taping involves placing a small strip of skin-safe tape across the midline of your closed lips before bed.
This essentially forces sleepers to breathe through your nose while sleeping by preventing your mouth from opening during the night.
The goal is to encourage nasal breathing and potentially reduce snoring, dry mouth, and other issues associated with mouth breathing.
‘Professional’ mouth tape can be purchased from Amazon for £9.99 for a pack of 30 strips.
However, speaking to The Mail on Sunday, sleep expert James Wilson warned against the trend.
He explained that many of the claims “made about mouth tape are frankly bonkers.”
James went on to explain that there is “no good research” to show that mouth does as much as what “companies selling these products say.”
He even warned that it can “even be dangerous for some people.”
Manchester City star Erling Haaland, 24, also previously revealed to podcast host Logan Paul that he thinks “sleep is the most important thing in the world”.
To achieve the best quality sleep, the striker revealed that he tapes his mouth shut at night to encourage nasal breathing.
Alex Neist, founder of Hostage Tape - a brand specialising in mouth tape - explained the theory behind the practice.
Speaking to Sun Health, he said: “Better recovery is the biggest reason.
"Sleep is the most powerful way Erling can be the best athlete every day.
"Mouth-breathing is a terrible way to breathe during sleep.”
However, Kerry Davies, also known as The SleepFixer, has urged caution.
The sleep specialist, who has over 13 years of experience, told Sun Health: “Mouth taping, a method said to prevent snoring, is garnering attention.
“But as a sleep specialist for 13 years, I urge caution.”
