India, Sept. 8 -- Mouth taping, the practice of placing a small strip of tape over the lips before bed to encourage nasal breathing, has become a popular sleep trend online. Proponents claim it improves sleep quality, reduces snoring, and even enhances facial structure. Doctors, however, urge a more cautious and evidence-based look at the practice before it becomes a bedtime habit. In this edition of HT Lifestyle's 'Is It Worth It,' we spoke to Dr Anish Gupta, director at ENT, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, to understand the science behind this trend.

According to Dr Gupta, nasal breathing during sleep does offer genuine benefits. It humidifies and filters air more effectively than mouth breathing, supports better oxygen exchange, and is ge...