Comparing Mouth Tape & Nasal Strips
- Melody Lee, DC
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Here we are comparing 2 Canadian companies that make mouth tape and nasal strips - Tapeher and Bouche.
How did I decide to try these two companies? Just a combination of searching on Google, good customer reviews, being a Canadian company, and good customer service (someone from the company got back to my questions). I reached out to these companies myself and I’m not being paid by them for this review.
If you haven’t read the “Mouth Taping? Should you do it?” blog, read it first.
Before we get into the comparisons, this is an inventory of what I’ll be talking about:
Bouche
Tapeher
Starter Routine
The key is to start slow.
-Use Mini mouth tape
-Use the tape and place it in the middle of your mouth. Tape shut at night time. -I like Bouche’s mini mouth tape. It tends to stay on better at night. The cost is also slightly less for Mini tape compared to Tapeher Minis.
-Once muscles have strengthened (during myofunctional therapy), progress to full mouth tape. I like Tapeher/Tapehim a bit better because it doesn't completely seal the mouth.
-Also use a nasal strip.
-Tapeher’s (pink) nose strips are actually smaller than Bouche’s nose strip and feel a bit more comfortable & lightweight.
-However, Bouche's bigger size seemed more rigid and effectively kept my nasal passageway open.
-On days where I feel a bit more congested, this bigger size seems to be more effective. Note that it was pretty sticky and hard to rip off in the morning but I’d rather that than something that falls off in the middle of the night.
Nasal Strips
For larger noses, Tapeher has a blue “Tapehim” version that is bigger. See picture below.
The Tapehim and Bouche’s transparent/cotton nasal strip are the same size.
Kids
I suggest nasal strips to encourage nasal breathing in kids before suggesting mouth/face tape.
While these 2 companies do not offer pediatric sizing, Tapeher has Mini Nasal strips which fit our kids a bit better.
Pros: Less sticky and not a pain to rip off in the morning. Fits nicely.
Cons: The pink Tapeher Mini Nasal strip doesn't seem to stick as well (even though it fits nicer on the nose). My son wakes up with it on his shirt sometimes so you really have to wipe the nose down and reduce the oils on the skin. The blue Tapehim mini stays on better.
See the comparison of the Mini Nasal Strips.
Here is a comparison of all the different nasal strips:
Nasal Strips
Material | Stickiness | Effectiveness | Cost | Comfort | Size | |
Tapeher | Cotton | Moderate | 7/10 | 32.99 | 10/10 | 48 mm x 18 mm |
Tapeher Mini | Cotton | Mild | 3/10 adults 10/10 kids | 32.99 | 10/10 | 48 mm x 12.4 mm |
Tapehim | Cotton | Moderate | 8/10 | 32.99 | 10/10 | 60 mm x 22 mm |
Tapehim Mini | Cotton | Mild | 3/10 adults 10/10 kids | 32.99 | 10/10 | 60 mm x 15.5 mm |
Bouche Cotton | Cotton | Moderate | 8/10 | 28.00 | 10/10 | 60 mm x 22 mm |
Bouche Transparent | Unsure | Very sticky | 10/10 | 28.00 | 8/10 | 60 mm x 22 mm |
Final Word on Nasal Strips
All are great - it just depends on each individual and what your needs are. My personal preference is to start with Bouche's transparent nasal strip because it just feels like it sticks better and offers a bigger lift. Then progress to the cotton, or use the Tapeher Nasal strip (if your nose is smaller). The same idea applies to nasal strips in that you don't want to rely on it either. We eventually want the nasal cavities to dilate when you take a breath in - not collapse. So if we always wear nasal strips, we never learn to dilate them.
Nasal strips are also a good tool to just wear whenever you get sick or have some extra congestion.
Mouth Tape
Mini tape vs "Full size" tape.
Mini Size
Like I mentioned, start with the mini tape to get used to taping your mouth shut. Tapeher/Tapehim and Bouche offer mini tape.
I personally use the mini tape more often than the full sized tape. It feels "safer" to me and less restrictive. I don't feel like I need the mouth tape as often as I need the nasal strips. I have got myself to a point where I actively breathe through my nose at night and my lips are somewhat touching all the time. My tongue is also resting at the top of my palate (like the whole thing, not just the front part) and this feels normal and natural - it doesn't feel like I'm trying really hard.
Mini Tape | Cost | Effectiveness | Allergic reactions? |
Bouche | 29.00 | 9/10 | no |
Tapeher | 32.99 | 8/10 | no |
Tapehim | 32.99 | 8/10 | no |
Full Size
I personally like the Tapeher full size tape a bit better because it's not as much of a complete mouth seal. However, patients with beards do prefer Bouche because it sticks on better.
Full Tape | Cost | Effectiveness | Allergic reactions? |
Bouche | 35.00 | -Haven't tried full closure all night | No. I tried it on for about 1 hour. |
Tapeher | 32.99 | -10/10 | No |
Tapehim | 32.99 | -10/10 | No |
Final Word on Mouth Tape
DO NOT tape your child's mouth shut. There is a reason that they are sleeping with their mouths open. Please work with a specialist to get them to this point of mouth taping. Mouth tape is an AID, not a forever thing.
I personally like Bouche's Mini tape because it's slightly bigger and stays on better.
And for full sized tape, I prefer the Tapeher/Tapehim's lineup because it's still full coverage without completely sealing the mouth.
The links provided will have my discount code applied.
Use code "DRMELODY" at checkout to receive 10% off your Bouche purchases.
Use code "DRMELODY" at checkout to receive 20% off your Tapeher purchases.
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