Can mouth breathing at night, in an adult with no known gastrointestinal disorders or medication use, contribute to stomach sounds and what are the potential underlying causes of this breathing pattern?

Mouth Breathing at Night and Stomach Sounds

Mouth breathing at night does not directly cause stomach sounds, but it can lead to aerophagia (air swallowing) which may contribute to increased intestinal gas and borborygmi (stomach rumbling sounds). 1

The Connection Between Mouth Breathing and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Air Swallowing Mechanism

• When breathing through the mouth during sleep, you are more likely to swallow air along with saliva, particularly during the frequent swallowing that occurs throughout the night 1
• This aerophagia can lead to gastric distension and increased gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which manifests as stomach sounds (borborygmi) 1
• Mouth breathing bypasses the nose's natural air conditioning and filtering mechanisms, potentially leading to more frequent swallowing reflexes as the throat becomes dry 2

Why Your Nose Feels Insufficient

Your sensation of inadequate nasal airflow when using mouth tape likely indicates underlying nasal obstruction that needs evaluation before attempting mouth closure interventions. 3, 4

• Research shows that adults with nasal airway size less than 0.4 cm² will experience obligatory mouth breathing to some degree 4
• The switching range from nasal to nasal-oral breathing is very narrow (0.4-0.45 cm²), meaning even mild nasal obstruction can force mouth breathing 4
• In patients with significant nasal obstruction or velopharyngeal narrowing, forcing mouth closure can actually worsen airflow and potentially cause harm 3

Critical Safety Concerns with Mouth Taping

Mouth taping carries serious risks and should not be used without medical evaluation, particularly if you feel insufficient air through your nose. 5

• A 2025 systematic review found potentially serious risks of harm for individuals indiscriminately practicing mouth taping, including risk of asphyxiation in the presence of nasal obstruction 5
• Studies showing any benefit from mouth taping specifically excluded anyone with nasal obstruction or pathology 5
• In patients who breathe primarily through their mouth during sleep and have velopharyngeal obstruction, airflow actually worsens with mouth closure 3

Evidence on Mouth Taping Efficacy

• A randomized crossover study of 51 patients with symptomatic asthma found that mouth taping had no effect on asthma control, morning peak flow, or symptom scores despite good compliance (median 26 of 28 nights) 6
• While 36 participants found mouth taping acceptable, there were no measurable benefits for any respiratory outcomes 6
• Only 2 out of 10 studies in a recent systematic review showed statistically significant improvement in sleep apnea markers with mouth taping 5

What You Should Do Instead

Get Proper Evaluation First

• Seek evaluation by an otolaryngologist to assess for structural nasal obstruction (deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal valve collapse) that is preventing adequate nasal breathing 4
• Consider sleep study evaluation if you have symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, as mouth breathing during sleep is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea 3
• The sensation of inadequate nasal airflow is a red flag that should prompt medical evaluation rather than forcing mouth closure 3, 5

Address Nasal Obstruction

• Nasal dilators (such as Nozovent) have been shown to increase nasal airflow and reduce nocturnal symptoms in some patients without the risks of mouth taping 2
• A study of 15 patients with nocturnal asthma found that nasal dilators reduced nighttime awakenings from 32 of 75 nights to 17 of 75 nights (p < 0.01) 2
• Treating underlying nasal pathology (allergic rhinitis, structural abnormalities) is the appropriate first step before attempting any breathing modification 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not use mouth tape if you feel you cannot breathe adequately through your nose - this indicates nasal obstruction that requires medical evaluation, not forced mouth closure 3, 5
• Do not assume mouth breathing is purely habitual without ruling out anatomical or physiological causes of nasal obstruction 4
• Do not continue mouth taping if you experience any sensation of air hunger, anxiety, or sleep disruption 5
• Recognize that approximately 12% of adults with adequate nasal airways are habitual mouth breathers, but forcing mouth closure in those with true nasal obstruction can worsen outcomes 4

Addressing Your Stomach Sounds

• If stomach sounds persist after addressing nasal breathing issues, consider evaluation for other causes of increased intestinal gas (dietary factors, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, food intolerances) 1
• The stomach sounds themselves are likely benign but may indicate aerophagia from mouth breathing that should improve once nasal breathing is optimized 1