Thanks so much for the detailed explanation! I have heard about how nasal breathing is better for the airways, as the nose is a better defense agains cold and microbes than the mouth, but I never really looked into other benefits. It's funny how my nose being congested is one of the things that holds me back from practices like this, when it's probably exactly what I needI use cheap 3M micropore tape which works just fine, but of course, you can buy more expensive alternatives like the mouth tape from Somnifix. Usually, a small Charlie Chaplin mustache-sized tape is enough, but I like taping my whole mouth. It's a personal preference.
For a starter, it forces you to breathe through your nose, which is the best and healthiest way to breathe - everything else is unnatural (except when doing breathwork). I slept with an open mouth mostly because my nose is often stuffed and I have a deviated septum and not using your nose leads to a more congested nose.
I wake up more rested and my Oura ring readings indicate that I have a better sleep in terms of quality (more deep sleep). I know that the Oura ring is not a super accurate device for measuring sleep, but it supports my subjective feeling that I wake up better rested.
Not sure about the scientific aspect, but nasal breathing is critical as it increases nitric oxide production which leads to lower blood pressure as nitric oxide expands the blood vessels which in turn improves oxygen transportation.
I can't cite any scientific studies on the top of my head right now, but it not only increases your oral health but your overall health can benefit greatly. I think it is shown that breathing to your mouth changes the pH-value rather quickly to an environment prone to the growth of bad bacteria. I think the dentist Dr. Mark Burhenne had an interesting video about this on YouTube.
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