MyoTape Kids

MyoTape Kids: A Professional Solution for Healthy Breathing Habits in Children

Introduction to MyoTape Kids

Correct breathing is an important part of child health. While nasal breathing is the natural way to breathe, many children develop the habit of breathing through the mouth. This may result from a blocked nose, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, or simply acquired habits. Mouth breathing in children is associated with dry mouth, snoring and restless sleep, and a child who persistently breathes through the mouth should be seen by a doctor or dentist.

MyoTape Kids was specifically designed to help children adopt nasal breathing. Unlike adhesive tapes that fully cover the lips, MyoTape Kids gently surrounds the lips without sealing them. This design allows children to breathe comfortably, maintain lip closure, and develop healthy breathing habits in a gentle, non-invasive way. It is intended for children aged 4 to 16, always under adult supervision.

This article provides an overview of MyoTape Kids, explaining how it works, its benefits, and how it can be used alongside paediatric dental, orthodontic and myofunctional therapy programmes.

The Science Behind MyoTape Kids

MyoTape Kids was developed by breathing expert Patrick McKeown, with the goal of creating a gentle, child-friendly alternative to taping methods that cover the lips. Its elastic structure gently supports the lips, encouraging closure while leaving a central area open so the child can still part their lips and breathe through the mouth if needed.

The principle is based on reinforcing nasal breathing, which has several natural functions:

• Healthy oral development: Nasal breathing is associated with healthy oral development, as your dentist or orthodontist can explain.

• Air filtration: The nose filters and humidifies the air we breathe.

• Nitric oxide production: The nose produces nitric oxide, which plays a role in normal airway function.

• Restful sleep: Less mouth breathing can mean more restful sleep.

By guiding the child towards correct breathing patterns, MyoTape Kids helps train lip closure and supports healthy breathing habits.

Key Benefits of MyoTape Kids

Supporting Nasal Breathing in Children

MyoTape Kids provides a gentle way to help children make nasal breathing their usual pattern. This is especially relevant for children who:

• Habitually breathe through the mouth during the day or night.

• Present with open mouth posture.

• Are undergoing orthodontic treatment and need support with lip closure.

Promoting Healthy Sleep and Reducing Snoring

Mouth breathing during sleep is common in children and can lead to snoring and restless nights. By encouraging nasal breathing, MyoTape Kids can reduce the snoring caused by mouth breathing and support more restful sleep.

Complementing Myofunctional Therapy in Children

Myofunctional therapy is increasingly prescribed for paediatric patients with tongue posture, swallowing, or breathing issues. MyoTape Kids can be used alongside these programmes, as it helps children apply therapy principles at home in a practical and playful way.

Therapists and dentists often recommend it as a daily support tool to reinforce correct oral posture between therapy sessions.

How MyoTape Kids Works in Practice

1. Application: The tape is placed gently around the lips, leaving a central opening that ensures the child can still open the mouth.

2. First use: Before the first night, the child wears a strip for 15 to 20 minutes during the day while awake, with an adult present, to check comfort and skin tolerance.

3. Night-time support: Once accustomed, children can use the tape while sleeping, always under adult supervision.

4. Therapy integration: Dentists and therapists may combine MyoTape Kids with orthodontic or myofunctional programmes.

Each strip is single use. The hypoallergenic adhesive is gentle on the skin, and the strip can be removed easily at any time. Do not use MyoTape Kids under 4 years of age, with a blocked nose, cold or sinus infection, or on irritated skin.

MyoTape Kids in Clinical Contexts

Applications in Paediatric Dentistry

Dentists often identify mouth breathing in children. MyoTape Kids can be recommended as part of a programme to encourage nasal breathing.

Applications include:

• Orthodontics: Supporting lip closure during treatment.

• Everyday comfort: Helping reduce morning dry mouth caused by mouth breathing.

• Healthy habits: Nasal breathing is associated with healthy oral development, as your dentist or orthodontist can explain.

Snoring and Sleep in Children

Mouth breathing at night can interfere with sleep quality. MyoTape Kids is not a treatment for sleep apnoea: a child who snores loudly or seems to stop breathing during sleep should be seen by a doctor. Used under adult supervision, MyoTape Kids can help to:

• Reduce the snoring caused by mouth breathing.

• Reduce morning dry mouth.

• Build a consistent nasal breathing habit.

Applications in Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial myologists and therapists often prescribe MyoTape Kids as part of therapy plans for:

• Incorrect swallowing patterns.

• Tongue posture training.

• Breathing retraining programs.

MyoTape Kids ensures that therapy goals are reinforced outside the clinic in a safe and consistent way.

Frequently Asked Questions about MyoTape Kids

Is MyoTape Kids safe for children to use at night?
Yes, when used correctly and under adult supervision. Its design leaves a central area open, ensuring that children can part their lips if necessary, and the strip can be removed easily at any time.

At what age can children start using MyoTape Kids?
It is suitable for children aged 4 to 16, always under adult supervision, ideally with guidance from a dentist or myofunctional therapist. Do not use it under 4 years of age.

Does MyoTape Kids replace orthodontic treatment?
No. MyoTape Kids can be used alongside therapy, but it does not replace orthodontic appliances or medical treatment.

Will children accept wearing MyoTape Kids?
Most children adapt quickly. It is recommended to introduce it gradually during the day, turning it into a positive and comfortable experience.

Why Choose MyoTape Kids for Your Patients?

For healthcare professionals, MyoTape Kids is a gentle, child-friendly tool to help children breathe through the nose. It is easy to integrate into myofunctional therapy programmes.

Its key advantages include:

• Gentle design, specifically adapted for children aged 4 to 16.

• Can be used alongside orthodontic and myofunctional programmes.

• Helps train lip closure and nasal breathing.

• Supports more restful sleep.

By incorporating MyoTape Kids into paediatric care, dentists and therapists help families address mouth breathing early.

MyoTape Kids is more than just a paediatric mouth tape. It is a carefully designed tool that supports nasal breathing and more restful sleep in children. For healthcare professionals, it is a useful tool to use alongside orthodontic, dental, and myofunctional therapy programmes.

By helping children establish nasal breathing early, MyoTape Kids supports healthy breathing habits. Nasal breathing is associated with healthy oral development, as your dentist or orthodontist can explain.