Mouth breather's experience using a mouthpiece

[jonnybee]

FWIW - I have a severe mouth breathing problem. I struggled for over a year, trying every combination of machines, pressures, masks, chinstraps and tape in an effort to get my AHI to a reasonable level. I was so frustrated that I actually quit CPAP therapy for a two month period, but then realized that quitting was not the thing to do. Again, after trying various combinations of equipment/pressures, I was still running pressures in the 12-18cm range with AHI running 7-10 with many clusters. As a last resort, I tried a boil & bite mouthpiece that I had purchased prior to CPAP therapy. My AHI average now is <1.0 using a CPAP pressure of 6cm with little upper airway restriction. Needless to say, I am very pleased.

I use the mouthpiece in conjunction with a chin strap, and Swift FX mask. No more tape!!! I purchased the mouthpiece that I use from Amazon.com for about $20. It is molded to both the upper and lower teeth which holds the lower jaw a tad forward. I don't think a single (just upper or lower) would work. If you do a search for "snore mouthpiece" on Amazon.com, you'll find several devices available.

I pass this along just in case someone is plagued with mouth breathing and might find my experience helpful. If anyone has questions concerning my experience, PM me.

[moresleep]

I have been using something like that to prevent bruxism, but, alas, it didn't stop mouth leaking--had hoped it would, but taping is still the only solution for me. Definitely worth trying, though.

[osmium sleeper]

This is precisely what I need.

[jonnybee]

I have been using something like that to prevent bruxism, but, alas, it didn't stop mouth leaking--had hoped it would, but taping is still the only solution for me. Definitely worth trying, though.

Most boil & bite mouthpieces have a open slot in front to allow breathing. When doing the molding process, I don't insert the wood strip (tongue depressor) into the slot to prevent it from closing when I bite down on the device. That way, when I bite down on the device to mold it around my teeth, the slot seals itself closed, thereby preventing air from escaping thru the slot. This way, I get a good seal and makes the tape unnecessary for me.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Congratulations johnnybee!

Glad you were able to finally find a work around to your issues from mouth breathing. You must have been so frustrated to give up your therapy for 2 months after doing it for a year. Moral of your story (and also a good mouthpiece tip included) is to keep on trying; never give up! This problem we all share is not just a temporary medical nuisance, but for almost all of us a lifelong, life saving medical therapy.

Thank you for posting this and continued success with your therapy!

John

[rosacer]

Thanks very much for the information John and congratulations.

Me too I started using a boil & bite mouthpiece a kind member of the forum bought for me in Walmart USA (Walmart Canada didn't carry it on summer time, now I need to check again). I helped me to stop mouth breathing, I was unable to continue taping because the tape started ripping out my skin .

I check at Amazon although I don't know if I will be allowed to buy it (some products are not shipped to Canada as usual), I saw there is a lot of different mouth pieces, could you please lest us know which one exactly you bought?

Thanks again.

Rosie

[jonnybee]

I check at Amazon although I don't know if I will be allowed to buy it (some products are not shipped to Canada as usual), I saw there is a lot of different mouth pieces, could you please lest us know which one exactly you bought?

Thanks again.

Rosie

This is the one I am presently using:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NX ... 00_details

It appears that this particular model must be out-of-stock at Amazon, but if you go to Amazon and search "snore mouthpiece" you will find several similar products that should work.

[archangle]

Thanks for the info. We should always remember to try various things. It's not always obvious what will work for you. Sometimes, it's downright counterintuitive.

[Kairosgrammy]

That answers a question for me actually. I saw a "mask" that was actually a mouthpiece that you hold in your mouth and then above the mouthpiece are the nasal pillows. I thought it looked great but was afraid I'd open my mouth and the whole thing would fall out. For me, with my claustophobia, if it worked it would be great though.

FWIW - I have a severe mouth breathing problem. I struggled for over a year, trying every combination of machines, pressures, masks, chinstraps and tape in an effort to get my AHI to a reasonable level. I was so frustrated that I actually quit CPAP therapy for a two month period, but then realized that quitting was not the thing to do. Again, after trying various combinations of equipment/pressures, I was still running pressures in the 12-18cm range with AHI running 7-10 with many clusters. As a last resort, I tried a boil & bite mouthpiece that I had purchased prior to CPAP therapy. My AHI average now is <1.0 using a CPAP pressure of 6cm with little upper airway restriction. Needless to say, I am very pleased.

I use the mouthpiece in conjunction with a chin strap, and Swift FX mask. No more tape!!! I purchased the mouthpiece that I use from Amazon.com for about $20. It is molded to both the upper and lower teeth which holds the lower jaw a tad forward. I don't think a single (just upper or lower) would work. If you do a search for "snore mouthpiece" on Amazon.com, you'll find several devices available.

I pass this along just in case someone is plagued with mouth breathing and might find my experience helpful. If anyone has questions concerning my experience, PM me.

[Tim1]

I am a mouth breather. My nose doesn't work at all, once I'm prone in a bed.

I have a mask that covers my nose and mouth. I am still having heart palpitations, presumably because of a lack of oxygen during the night.

The palpitations only occur at night and in the morning as I am waking up.

Is it possible to get a CPAP mask which plugs ONLY into one's mouth?

Since getting the CPAP machine, seven months ago, no one has contacted me to tell me how well it is working. It sends reports to my doctor. He has not scheduled follow up visits. I got a mouthpiece as well, from a second doctor, but it only works if you can breathe through your nose. I told the second doctor I can't breathe through my nose at night; he made the mouthpiece for me anyway. It is pretty much useless.

I don't know what to do, and wouldn't care, except I am a single parent with small children at home, and I want to see them reach adulthood. I grew up without parents, and know what a terrible hardship it can be.

I am thinking I will attempt to use both the mouthpiece and the CPAP, and hope the air pressure will force the air through my nose.

I have severe sleep apnea and have to find solutions.

[LSAT]

Tim1...It would help if you registered and filled in your equipment into the control panel. To answer your question...Yes...there is a mouth only mask. It's called the Oracle.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html