Real Deal Z-Tape
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Designed by Dr. Stephen Deal, DDS

Mouth tape, designed by a dentist.

A clinically-shaped mouth tape designed by Dr. Stephen Deal — the dentist who teaches sleep medicine to other dentists. Nasal breathing, all night — and a clinical shape that doesn’t tug your skin or leave a mark by morning.

Hypoallergenic adhesiveClinical H shapeShips from Little Rock
IN · OUT~6 BREATHS / MIN · NASAL
Real Deal Z-Tape packet — latex-free hypoallergenic lip tape, 30 count
What makes it different
Designed by a dentist.

Not by a marketer. Dr. Deal teaches sleep medicine to other dentists — he designed Z-Tape because patients kept asking him what to buy, and the honest answer wasn't on the shelf.

Clinical shape, not a strip.

Z-Tape is an H, not a rectangle: two soft bars anchor above and below the lips, and a narrow bridge crosses them. The corners of your mouth stay free — a seal where it counts, no full-face pull, no surprise mark in the morning.

Hypoallergenic adhesive.

Medical-grade, latex-free. Strong enough to hold all night, gentle enough that beard, sensitive skin, and daily use don't become problems.

Honest about the limits.

Tape isn't a treatment for sleep apnea. If you snore loudly, gasp at night, or feel tired no matter what — get screened. We'll tell you when to come back.

Morning, slept well
About the design

The dentist who teaches sleep medicine — designed it.

Dr. Deal practices airway-centered dentistry at Symmetry in Little Rock and teaches the sleep-medicine track at Real Deal Seminars. He designed Z-Tape because patients kept asking him what mouth tape to buy — and the honest answer wasn't on the shelf.

Double-board-certified in dental sleep medicine. Teaches sleep medicine to other dentists.

Why nasal breathing

Four reasons your nose is the only airway you want at night.

WAKEREMLIGHTDEEP10PM122AM46AMMORNING

One night of sleep architecture — REM stacks late. The whole night counts.

01
The nose was built for the job.

Inhaled air travels through turbinates that warm it, humidify it, and filter it. Mouth breathing skips all of that. The throat dries, the airway narrows, and the body works harder to do what should be automatic.

02
Nasal breathing makes nitric oxide.

The sinuses produce nitric oxide on the inhale, which opens blood vessels and improves oxygen uptake in the lungs. Mouth breathing bypasses this — the same breath does less work.

03
A closed mouth keeps the airway open.

When the jaw drops at night, the tongue falls back. That's how snoring and obstructive events begin. Closing the mouth keeps the tongue forward and the airway in its natural shape.

04
Sleep is priority number one.

Every metabolic, cognitive, and recovery system depends on it. Tape isn't a treatment for sleep apnea — but for the right person it's the smallest possible intervention with the largest possible payoff.

Read the full science page →
Get it

One box. Thirty nights. $12.95.

Z-Tape ships from Essential Orthodontic Products — our own storefront, the same Little Rock desk that supplies dental practices. Guest checkout — pay by card or order on account terms, and it ships from Little Rock.

30 nights · 30 strips · $0.43 a night

Want 90 or 180 nights? Set the quantity in the store cart.

Questions you should ask

Common questions, answered honestly.

Is mouth taping safe?
For healthy adults with a clear nose, yes — and a growing body of literature backs it up. The honest caveats: don't tape if you can't breathe through your nose, if you've been drinking, if you have untreated sleep apnea, or if you're under 13. The contraindications list on this page is short for a reason — read it.
How is Z-Tape different from Hostage Tape, MyoTape, or ZzzTape?
Z-Tape was designed by a dentist who actually teaches sleep medicine — Dr. Deal sees the airway from the inside every day. The cut shape, adhesive, and use guidance are all built around what he sees clinically. Other brands are products with marketing. This one is the product his patients were asking him for.
Will it hurt to remove?
No, if you peel it from the corner instead of pulling straight off. The adhesive is medical-grade and stays gentle. Beard? Fine. Sensitive skin? A warm cloth before removal makes it effortless. If anything's irritating, stop — and email us; we'll figure out what's going on.
What if I can't breathe through my nose at night?
Then don't tape. Decongest first — saline, a humidifier, or a proper ENT visit if it's chronic. Forcing a tape on while your nose is blocked is the wrong move. We'd rather you wait a week than have a bad first night.
Read every question →
Get your best Zzz’s

Sleep is priority number one. Start tonight.

Order through our Essential Ortho desk — one box is thirty nights, and we refund the first box if it’s not for you.