Key Takeaways
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Nasal strips aren’t the only way to improve breathing and reduce snoring.
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Effective alternatives include mouth tape, chin straps, and internal nasal dilators.
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Choose the best alternative based on the cause of your snoring, nasal anatomy, and skin sensitivity.
Most people who try nasal strips sleep better and snore less, but they’re not always the best option for everybody, and some might prefer different alternatives.So, in this guide, we’ll give you the top options, from mouth tape to nasal dilators, and explain how to choose the right one for your needs. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to try for better airflow and improved sleep.
Why People Look for Nasal Strip Alternatives
Poor quality nasal strips can fall off during the night, lose stickiness, or irritate your skin… And for deeper nasal obstructions like a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse, they often don’t open the airway enough.
While nasal strips can help to reduce the need for mouth breathing, they don’t completely eliminate it, which is actually a common root cause of snoring.
Options like mouth tape, internal nasal dilators, and chin straps provide relief where some strips fall short.
Keep learning more about how nasal strips work.
6 Best Nasal Strip Alternatives
Below are the best proven alternatives to nasal strips. Each addresses specific causes of snoring and nasal congestion.
Mouth Tape
Mouth tape promotes healthier nasal breathing by gently keeping your mouth closed and preventing mouth breathing, a common cause of snoring. Some of the many benefits of mouth taping include:
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Reduced snoring
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Deeper sleep
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Improved sleep apnea symptoms
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Better oral health
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Enhanced relaxation
It’s essential to choose a high-quality mouth tape in order to experience the maximum benefits while avoiding side effects like skin irritation.
Dream Recovery Mouth Tape is the superior choice and considered the best mouth tape for sleeping. Thanks to the use of organic bamboo silk and hypoallergenic adhesive, it’s designed to stay on all night for maximum efficacy, all while being gentle to the most sensitive skin.
Transform your sleep with Dream Recovery Mouth Tape.
Note: You should only use mouth tape when you can comfortably breathe through your nose!
Mouth Strips
Mouth strips function similarly to mouth tape, however they have a smaller design and are placed vertically down the centre of your lips (instead of over your whole mouth).
This design is great if you’re someone who finds regular mouth tape claustrophobic and prefere to feel less restricted.
Try Dream Recovery Mouth Strips now.
Internal Nasal Dilators
Internal nasal dilators fit inside the nostrils to widen nasal passages, improving airflow without adhesives.
They’re also reusable and, in some cases, may be more effective for severe nasal blockages or structural issues like a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse, since they push the nostrils open from the inside out.
However, when it comes to nasal strips vs nasal dilators, the latter are more invasive, which means they might not be as easy to use for some.
Learn more here about how to widen your nasal passages naturally.
Chin Straps
Chin straps wrap around your head and under your chin to help keep your jaw and mouth closed during sleep. Similar to mouth tape, this helps to prevent mouth breathing and reduce snoring.
However, when it comes to chin straps vs mouth tape, they tend to be uncomfortable and also less effective compared to mouth tape, since you can still open your mouth while wearing one.
Saline Nasal Sprays
Saline sprays can help to reduce nasal breathing problems and congestion before bed, improving airflow and making nasal breathing easier.
Medicated nasal sprays can also be used during allergy season or for sinus infections. However, it’s best that these aren’t used on a long-term basis, since they can lead to dependence and other side effects.
Positional Therapy Devices
Positional therapy devices like wedge pillows, body pillows, or devices that prevent you from rolling onto your back during sleep can help to encourage side sleeping to reduce airway collapse and snoring.
Why Your Nasal Strips Might Not Be Working For You
So, are nasal strips bad for you? Usually, no! But if the nasal strips you’ve tried have failed, the issue may be product quality, the placement, or an underlying cause that they can’t fix. Let’s take a look.
Poor Adhesive Quality
Low-quality, cheaper strips often peel off, eliminating their efficacy. That’s why Dream Recovery’s Second Wind Nasal Strips use a specialized medical-grade adhesive that stays on all night without skin irritation.
Not Addressing The Root Cause
Nasal strips can’t fix internal obstructions like a deviated septum or nasal valve collapse. In these cases, internal nasal dilators or medical interventions may work better.
They also can’t fully prevent mouth breathing, which is a common cause of snoring. Find out more here about mouth breathing vs. nose breathing.
Incorrect Fit or Placement
Nasal strips need to be applied to clean skin for proper adhesion and positioned correctly across the bridge of the nose. Applying them to oily skin can cause them to fall off, and misplacement reduces airflow.
For more on this, check out our step-by-step guide on how to apply nasal strips.
Tips on How to Choose the Right Alternative
Picking the best option starts with understanding your snoring trigger, comfort needs, and skin sensitivity.
Identify the Cause
Is your snoring from mouth breathing? Try mouth tape or a chin strap to get to the root cause.
Do you have blocked nasal passages from severe allergies or obstructions like polyps or a deviated septum? Internal dilators may be a good way to go.
Only snore when you sleep on your back? Try a positional therapy device to promote side sleeping.
Consider Skin Sensitivity
If you’ve tried products with hypoallergenic adhesives and still find that they cause irritation, skip nasal strips and choose reusable devices like internal nasal dilators or chin straps.
Choose What Makes You Comfortable
Some people are quite comfortable with devices like nasal dilators, mouth guards, or chin straps, while others find these too invasive.
If you’re someone who struggles with having things inside their nose and mouth (or around their face), consider a less invasive alternative like mouth tape or nasal sprays.
Breathe Better With Dream Recovery
Nasal strips aren’t for everyone. So, if they’re not right for you, other alternatives can help you find relief from snoring, like mouth tape, nasal dilators, nasal spray, or chin straps.
Dream Recovery Mouth Tape stands out by getting to the root cause of snoring, while supporting oral health, deeper sleep, and cardiovascular well-being.
Unlike other mouth tapes, it’s made from organic bamboo silk and a specialized hypoallergenic adhesive that stays on all night long, all while being gentle on sensitive skin.
Note: You should only use mouth tape when you can comfortably breathe through your nose!