Doctor slams 'dangerous' mouth tape trend that is loved by Ivanka Trump and Gwyneth Paltrow

A doctor has warned against the celebrity-loved mouth taping trend that has been taking the wellness industry by storm - and revealed why it's actually dangerous. Over the past few months, 'mouth taping' has become all the rage among celebrities, influencers and health enthusiasts alike, as they promise that breathing strictly through your nose can offer tons of benefits. Per Cleveland Clinic, breathing through your nose can help lower blood pressure, filter allergens and even decrease anxiety.

Some even believe that it can slim your face and jawline. It's even been touted by Ivanka Trump, who admitted to using the Skinny Confidential brand mouth tape during a January appearance on their podcast. Gwyneth Paltrow is also a fan of the practice, as she told Air Mail in November 2024 that she wears it to bed, and actress Emma Roberts admitted to the same. But even though it has gained popularity recently, there is not 'strong enough evidence to support that mouth tape is beneficial,' Dr. Pena Orbea told Cleveland Clinic.

Mouth taping can also come with a host of negative side effects, too, like bad breath and a sore throat - and now, an expert is sounding the alarm on this latest trend. Over the past few months, 'mouth taping' has become all the rage among celebrities, influencers and health enthusiasts alike, as they promise that breathing strictly through your nose can offer tons of benefits. It's even been touted by Ivanka Trump , who admitted to using the Skinny Confidential brand mouth tape during a January appearance on their podcast, and wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow.

In a new video posted to TikTok, Pittsburgh-based Dr. Chisom Ikeji shared that the promotion of mouth tape was 'concerning,' and urged people to stop. 'Breathing through your nose obviously has its benefits, air is moistened and humidified as it travels through your navel passage, before it reaches your lungs,' Dr. Ikeji explained. 'And, we have these tiny structures in our nose called cilia, and these cilia help filter tiny particles like dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, it's really the body's first line of defense against respiratory illness,' she continued.

The doctor acknowledged while breathing out of your mouth can pose a higher risk for things like gum disease and 'dental carriers,' mouth taping is still not the answer for better health. 'The risks of taping your mouth shut at night far outweighs the benefits,' she shared. Dr. Ikeji explained that naturally, we are going to breathe out of our nose. 'If for some reason you have the tendency to breathe out of your mouth, there is a reason why your body is compensating for something, and for you to tape your mouth shut at night and say, "I know better," that's not a good idea,' she said.

The internal medicine doctor warned that by taping your mouth, you are 'putting yourself at risk at obstructing your ability to breathe,' and decreasing your oxygen intake. In a new video posted to TikTok , Pittsburgh-based internal medicine Dr. Chisom Ikeji shared that the promotion of mouth tape was 'concerning,' and urged people to stop. The internal medicine doctor warned that by taping your mouth, you are 'putting yourself at risk at obstructing your ability to breathe,' and decreasing your oxygen intake.

She stressed that if you already have obstructive sleep apnea, it can be even more dangerous. 'What mouth taping is not going to do is improve your jawline, come on now, you guys, it makes no physiological sense,' she said. 'First of all, there's no evidence to support this, and why would breathing the way most people naturally breathe help improve the muscle or the bone structure of your face?' the doctor continued.