non-stretch chin strap

[tst29m]

I've done a search but can't find an answer: Is there a chin strap out there that is made of non-stretch material? Everything I've tried stretches, and I just can't keep my mouth closed! I have used the Ultimate Chin Strap, but they've changed their material, and it just gets not durable at all. Thanks for any advice!

[jdm2857]

Take a look at the PapCap:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... otton.html
I use one and find it works better than the others that I have tried.

[LSAT]

If the chinstraps don't work you need to try taping your mouth closed or try a full face mask...that's what they are for.

[tst29m]

I've tried the PapCap, and it didn't work for me. Also, I have the Quattro FX full face mask, and my mouth gets so dry it's unbelievable! Maybe I'll have to go the way of the tape. Thank you for your suggestions.

[NateS]

I'm still looking/hoping for the perfect chinstrap.

Until then, my Ruby Puresom seems to be the best of about five I've tried. But there is some stretch in it. I tried to overcome that problem by getting a Ruby that was actually too small for me, thinking that would keep it at maximum stretch with no more give. It did, but it indented my head so deeply I had headaches from it the next day for a week, so I went back to my correct size Ruby.

The Papcap might have worked if it wasn't for the fact that the cap slipped around on my head, and the non-stretch strap is so thick it distorted the straps on my masks, worn under or over, screwing up the fit of the cushion.

Regards, Nate

[Kenneth P.]

Ruby is the best for me.I can get about 2 month's out of it till it's stretch'd beyond use.I just keep them stock'd up in drawer when I need another.I get the Prem. Chinstrap's free.They are ok.But, alot heavier&have prob. keeping them on.Good Luck on this problem.Have seen no better solution.Just have to spend a little money to get by.

[avi123]

I used this Chinstrap which I bought at Amazon:






http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Chin-Strap-A ... xtra+large


I could stretch it more, and also staple it into a smaller size, but in my case the Lips closure do the air sealing and not the Teeth closure, i.e. I don't need more force to do Teeth closure b/c the Lips closure seal the mouth breathing beforehand. Also, putting extra force on the tmj could screw up the joint for good.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I use this Chinstrap which I buy at Amazon:






http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Chin-Strap-A ... xtra+large


I could stretch it more, and also staple it into a smaller size, but in my case the Lips closure do the air sealing and not the Teeth closure, i.e. I don't need more force to do Teeth closure b/c the Lips closure seal the mouth breathing beforehand. Also, putting extra force on the tmj could screw up the joint for good.

I can't tell from the photo is there is an adjustment buckle or velcro section (or whatever) on the side or top of the head strap. Maybe you can enlighten me, since that's a feature I'd like to see? Most of the PR chinstraps have those adjustments but there are other flaws that make them hard for me to use. Presumably they come in small, medium and large?

[Pugsy]

I can't tell from the photo is there is an adjustment buckle or velcro section (or whatever) on the side or top of the head strap. Maybe you can enlighten me, since that's a feature I'd like to see? Most of the PR chinstraps have those adjustments but there are other flaws that make them hard for me to use. Presumably they come in small, medium and large?

Check out this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5CAUzMggCM

[avi123]

I can't tell from the photo is there is an adjustment buckle or velcro section (or whatever) on the side or top of the head strap. Maybe you can enlighten me, since that's a feature I'd like to see? Most of the PR chinstraps have those adjustments but there are other flaws that make them hard for me to use. Presumably they come in small, medium and large?

Reply,

In my Chinsrtrap (see above) there are two Velcro hooks that grab the fabric of the strap (the whole strap is covered with Velcro grabbing material). One Velcro on the top of the head which controls the tension and the other at the back of the head. Besides the sizes that you mentioned there is also and Extra Large size which I use. Once I get my adjusted size correctly by the top of the head Velcro I staple the two lapping straps. This fixes the size and the tension. The back Velcro is for mounting and dismounting.

The following is for the OP: When I stretch my Chinstrap (from the chin downwards) for 4" it reaches its maximum stretchable distance. At that point the force required to do the stretching is about 17 Lb = 8 kg = 80 newtons. The force generated during routine mastication of food like carrots or meat, is about 70 to 150 newtons (16 to 34 lbf). The maximum biting force for people is around 500 to 700 newtons (110 to 160 lbf). So I see no reason to put more force on my jaws than this Chinstrap is capable of doing.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Thanks Pugsy and Avi123. I'm going to order one this week.

[tst29m]

Good information. Thank you!

[jdm2857]

For those of you fashion-concious sleepers who can't be caught wearing red in bed,
the Pursom Topaz Adjustable is the same chinstrap in a more tame shade.

And maybe the fact that I'm watching Project Runway as I type has something to do
with my making this post.

[avi123]

I am going to try this chinstrap:

http://www.amazon.com/Jobar-Internation ... B003U76CCU



and this one which I have already ordered:

Add: it comes in one size only which is sort of medium.

http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Chin-Strap ... f_se_p_d_2



and use it instead of this one:

http://www.amazon.com/CareFusion-Adjust ... _sbs_hpc_5


The reasons:

Yesterday, I came across this info and I agree with the findings which I have highlighted.


How to Make a Chin Strap?

If you like to create things on your own, you can make yourself the best chin strap. This great idea belongs to Reno Tom so he should receive all the credits.
The idea for this new chin strap seems too simple, and it may or may not work for you, but definitely work for a lot of patients with snoring problems and mouth breathers.
Start off with a few simple demonstrations to understand the concept of how the new chin strap works:
 first, clench your teeth together real tight. With your teeth clenched, take a small sip of water from a glass.
 I bet that you succeeded the first step. Now, let's try one more thing. Try to open your lips and breathe, of course with your teeth clenched.
Don't worry, 'cause this isn't an attempt at poking fun of you. It is an attempt to demonstrate that you can wrap up that jaw pretty good, and still mouth breath.
So, what now? How do we stop this mouth breathing?
 Try this very simple exercise:

 with your teeth together (not clenched unless you want to), let your lips open slightly so that you can softly breath through them.

 now, while you are breathing, place your finger across your chin just bellow your bottom lip (so that your finger is parallel to your lip), and push softly upward and inward against your lip. You should find that it takes very little pressure to close your lip and stop your breathing.

 Hopefully you are starting to get the idea that it ain't the jaw, it's the lip, and if you can get someone to hold their finger across your lip all night, you got this problem solved.

So, what do you really should do? Well, for this one you have to spend a couple of bucks and try for a few days. Go to a fabric store and get enough 1 inch wide elastic to wrap around your head and have some left over. You pick the color. Also get a couple of safety pins.
Now the silly part: wrap the elastic around your head, and fasten it with a safety pin. I can also suggest to sew velcro dots or strips onto the elastic instead of using safety pin.
You want it to go across your chin, just bellow your lip, and run at a slight upward angle to the back of your head. You can fasten it to your headgear at the back to keep it from slipping down if you want.
You want the elastic to exert enough pressure on your lip to keep it closed, but no more. It really doesn't take much, and it should not be uncomfortable.
Okay, so what now? Try it for a few days. And see if it works. If it does, then you got to make a real chin strap for CPAP.
Remember, this new chin strap idea is addressed to anyone who has mouth breathing problems. So if a Resmed or a Respironics chin strap doesn't work, try this method. You will probably be surprised, in a positive way

Read more: http://www.sleep-apnea-guide.com/cpap-c ... z2a7sqwrgz

[NateS]

 Hopefully you are starting to get the idea that it ain't the jaw, it's the lip, and if you can get someone to hold their finger across your lip all night, you got this problem solved.

Read more: http://www.sleep-apnea-guide.com/cpap-c ... z2a7sqwrgz

Thanks to you and Reno Tom, avi for pointing this out!

Purely by coincidence, I has been slipping my Puresom Ruby chin portion up to just under my lower lip the last few nights, trying to improve my fight with mouth dryness, but it still doesn't seem to fully solve the problem. I also tried making one out of an Ace bandage as he suggests, but it kept slipping all around. And I too have a collection of earlier failed chinstraps, and taping has been tried by me and found impractical due to my moustache and light beard and I refuse to radically change my appearance by shaving it off.

So please keep us posted with your latest efforts to get or make one that really keeps the lips together and ends all mouth breathing. I am getting tired of the nightly pre-ritual of Biotene rinse, followed by XyliMelts, followed by sugarless fruit flavored lozenges and still waking up with dry mouth! And I refuse to give up my Wisp for a FFM! This has got to be solvable! I appreciate your efforts and look forward to your followup report.

Regards, Nate