States and Cities With the Most Mouth Breathers

Mouth breathing and the growing list of wellness solutions around it have become a major online trend. From mouth tape to nasal strips, more Americans are searching for ways to improve how they breathe during sleep so they can get a better night’s rest.

To understand how widespread this interest really is, we analyzed Google Trends data from all 50 states and 100 of the most populous U.S. cities.

Save $500 On Any Mattress

Plus free shipping

Get $500 OFF Mattresses

By examining search volume around terms like “mouth tape,” “mouth taping benefits,” and “nasal strips for sleep,” we uncovered just how rapidly awareness is growing and where it’s growing fastest.

The Rise of Mouth Taping and More

Mouth breathing may not be new, but the intense interest in fixing it certainly is. Online searches for mouth-breathing-related terms have skyrocketed. They’re up 739% since 2021.

This growing curiosity seems to be largely driven by awareness of mouth taping, a practice that involves using specially designed tape to encourage nasal breathing during sleep.

The most dramatic increase came from the phrase “mouth taping benefits,” which jumped by a massive 4,944%. Not far behind, searches for “mouth tape” rose by 2,306%, while “mouth tape for sleep” grew by 1,275%.

Interestingly, seasonality played a role, too. Searches for “mouth tape” typically peaked in the fall, seeing a 53% rise compared to the spring. And in 2025 so far, the most searched terms remain “mouth tape” and “mouth tape for sleep,” showing this is far more than a fleeting trend.

Where Mouth Breathers Are Most Common: State-Level Insights

Some states are clearly leading the pack when it comes to mouth breathing, and searching for ways to stop it.

In the past year, Massachusetts and New York residents searched the most for “mouth tape” per 100,000 people. When it came to the sleep-specific version, “mouth tape for sleep,” Massachusetts held its top spot, followed by Colorado.

Looking at total search volume across all relevant terms, the top 3 states with the most mouth breathers were Massachusetts, Colorado, and New York. The states with the lowest search volumes per capita, and likely the fewest mouth breathers, were Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas.

Mouth Breathing Capitals in America

Zooming in from state to city, the data gets even more revealing.

Three cities in particular topped the list for mouth-breathing-related search volume per capita in the past year: Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Miami.

Each saw high interest in terms like “mouth tape,” “nasal strips for sleep,” and “mouth breathing vs. nose breathing,” suggesting a citywide curiosity around breathing better. Other high-ranking cities included Orlando and St. Louis.

Cities showing the least interest were Enterprise and North Las Vegas in Nevada, followed by Laredo, Texas, Stockton, California, and Cape Coral, Florida.

Whether due to regional wellness trends, air quality, or climate, these differences suggest that mouth breathing is more top-of-mind in certain parts of the country than others.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Sleep

Mouth breathing may seem harmless, but it can significantly disrupt the quality of your sleep. It often leads to snoring, dry mouth, and restless nights. When you breathe through your mouth at night, your body misses out on the natural filtration, humidification, and nitric oxide production that come from nasal breathing — all of which are crucial for deep, restful sleep.

Mouth breathing also keeps the nervous system in a more alert, sympathetic state. In contrast, nasal breathing promotes calm and helps the body transition into deep, restorative sleep.

How To Improve Sleep by Fixing Mouth Breathing

If you wake up feeling groggy, congested, or with a dry mouth, mouth breathing may be the hidden culprit. Learning to breathe through your nose at night can transform the way you sleep.

Something as simple as addressing nasal congestion can help retrain your body to breathe the right way while you sleep.

Better sleep often starts with better breathing. Prioritizing nasal breathing is one of the most overlooked but powerful ways to improve your sleep quality naturally.

For more on this, check out our article: “Is Mouth Taping Good for Snoring & Sleep Apnea?”

FAQs

Is it okay to breathe through the mouth while sleeping?

While occasional mouth breathing during sleep due to temporary nasal congestion (like during a cold) is normal, chronic mouth breathing is generally not considered ideal for optimal health. Breathing through the nose during sleep is the healthier option as it filters, warms, and humidifies the air before it reaches your lungs.

Nasal breathing also produces nitric oxide, which helps improve oxygen circulation throughout your body and has antibacterial properties that can help protect against respiratory infections.

Long-term mouth breathing during sleep may contribute to various health issues including dry mouth, bad breath, increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and potentially more serious conditions like sleep apnea.

When should I be concerned about mouth breathing?

You should be concerned about mouth breathing if it becomes a persistent habit rather than just occurring occasionally due to temporary nasal congestion. Chronic mouth breathing may be a sign of underlying issues such as nasal obstruction, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, deviated septum, or allergies that need medical attention.

Warning signs that indicate you should consult a healthcare provider include consistent dry mouth upon waking, morning headaches, daytime fatigue despite adequate sleep hours, noticeable snoring, frequent sore throats, or if others observe you regularly breathing through your mouth during sleep.

What are the risks of mouth taping at night?

While mouth taping has gained popularity as a method to encourage nasal breathing during sleep, it carries potential risks including skin irritation, allergic reactions to the adhesive, and anxiety or claustrophobia for some users.

More seriously, if you have untreated sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties, mouth taping could be dangerous as it might restrict your ability to get sufficient oxygen when nasal passages are obstructed.

There is also a concern about choking hazards if you need to vomit during the night, and the practice should never be used with children, people with respiratory conditions, or anyone who has been drinking alcohol or taking sedatives.

How to become a nose breather when sleeping?

To become a nose breather when sleeping, start by addressing any underlying nasal obstruction issues through treatments for allergies, congestion, or structural problems like a deviated septum.

Practice conscious nasal breathing exercises during the day to strengthen this habit, including diaphragmatic breathing techniques and using nasal strips or dilators to increase airflow through your nasal passages.

Consider sleeping position adjustments such as elevating your head slightly or sleeping on your side rather than your back, and maintain good sleep hygiene practices like keeping your bedroom humid enough and free of allergens that might cause nasal congestion.

How do doctors fix mouth breathing?

Doctors approach fixing mouth breathing by first identifying and treating the underlying cause, which may involve addressing allergies with medications, treating chronic sinusitis, or recommending surgical interventions for structural issues like enlarged adenoids, tonsils, or a deviated septum.

For patients with myofunctional problems (improper muscle function), doctors may refer them to specialists like speech therapists or myofunctional therapists who can provide exercises to strengthen the muscles of the mouth, face, and tongue to encourage proper breathing patterns.

In some cases, particularly with children, orthodontic interventions might be recommended to address dental or palatal issues that contribute to mouth breathing, and for sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea, doctors might prescribe treatments such as CPAP therapy or oral appliances.

Conclusion

Mouth breathing may have once flown under the radar, but the data shows it’s now a front-and-center concern for many Americans.

From the rapid rise in search terms to geographic hotspots of interest, interest in breathing optimization — especially during sleep — is widespread.

As more people explore solutions like mouth tape and nasal strips, one thing is evident: better breathing could be the next big step in getting the best sleep.

Methodology

We analyzed Google Trends search volume data from 2021 to March 2025 among all 50 states and 100 of the most populous U.S. cities to explore trends in mouth-breathing-related searches. Search volume for the following keywords was used:

• “Mouth tape”
• “Mouth tape for sleep”
• “Mouth breathing”
• “How to stop mouth breathing”
• “Mouth taping benefits”
• “Nasal strips for sleep”
• “Mouth tape for snoring”
• “Mouth breathing vs nose breathing”
• “Why do I wake up with dry mouth”

About Amerisleep

Amerisleep designs eco-friendly, high-performance mattresses and sleep products to help you breathe easier and rest deeper. Our sleep solutions are crafted with innovative materials and backed by science, because quality rest starts with the right support.

Explore our collection of mattresses and pillows to enhance your sleep setup.

Fair Use Statement

Feel free to share this data for noncommercial purposes. Just be sure to include a link back to this page to credit Amerisleep appropriately.