keeping your mouth closed while sleeping

[springman946]

how do I keep my mouth closed while I am sleeping I dont want to have to use a chin strap I still wake up once ina while even thought I am using my cpap

[chunkyfrog]

Full face mask--then it doesn't matter.

[NeedHelp2]

Full face mask--then it doesn't matter.

That's the best I've come up with too.

[Sheriff Buford]

Try using a "mild" tape. Some folks use painters tape or bandage tape. I think eventually you can train yourself to keep your mouth closed, but it may take some time.

Sheriff

[avi123]

how do I keep my mouth closed while I am sleeping I dont want to have to use a chin strap I still wake up once ina while even thought I am using my cpap

If you're a delicate person, and use a nasal pillows mask, you could then use this:



http://www.amazon.com/The-Mouth-Strap-C ... B006V9WBWY

See here how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrZ5f3bDxo

[Hawthorne]

I'm certainly glad I don't mouth breathe anymore! That thing would kill my ears! I couldn't wear the Bella loops so certainly could not wear that!

[chunkyfrog]

So, Avi, did you ever buy one of these?
I'll bet it's NOT an FSA item!

[fringel]

Just to give you the beenfit of my experience.
After many nights of waking up with dry mouth that finally convinced me I was mouth breathing and therefor not getting the full effect of cpap therapy (and my AHI stats showed it), I bit the bullet and went to a chinstrap and, while it took about a week to get used to it, I doubt I'm going back. My AHI is now down to a consistent 2.8-4.5 (which is the best I've ever done before), so it was the right move for me.
I actually went pretty extreme with the ultimatechinstrap (which has been reviewed on this site-you'll it via the search function) and it is the only thing that worked for me.
I have also used full face masks and basically tried them all up to the newest Quattro Air and I could never get a good seal (I have facial hair), so nasal pillows and the chinstrap were my only real option.

Good luck,
Fred

[avi123]

So, Avi, did you ever buy one of these?
I'll bet it's NOT an FSA item!

Yes, I bought one, and it's too flimsy for me. I gave it to my 36 yrs old daughter, for a try. She SNORES occasionally. Her future husband (next month!) needs one such mask, but made of steel. He sleeps with wide open mouth!

[stirlsa]

I tried a full face mask and that did not solve the problem. I tried a chin strap and my mouth opened even with the strap. I now use a mild medical tape and that takes care of the problem as long as I also use a full face mask.

[chunkyfrog]

I know tape freaks a lot of people out, but I made my own chin-up strips with patterns made from recycled "plastic"
I use wide delicate painters tape.

[avi123]

[quote="chunkyfrog"]I know tape freaks a lot of people out, but I made my own chin-up strips with patterns made from recycled "plastic"
I use wide delicate painters tape.

/quote]


If you start selling your device without paying royalties you might be sued for infringements by these U.S. patents holders:



"METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BREATHING"

Inventor: Karim Esmailzadeh
Number: 5,873,363
Date of Patent: Feb. 23,1999

and/or

"Device for Preventing or Reducing the Passage of Air through the Mouth", U. S. Patent no 6,123,082, Dated Sep. 26, 2000

Resmed is the patent holder.

[ems]

how do I keep my mouth closed while I am sleeping I dont want to have to use a chin strap I still wake up once ina while even thought I am using my cpap

If you're a delicate person, and use a nasal pillows mask, you could then use this:



http://www.amazon.com/The-Mouth-Strap-C ... B006V9WBWY

See here how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrZ5f3bDxo

Not in a million years could I use this contraption. I'd never sleep! I think I'd try the blue painter's tape before I try this, and I don't want to do that either!!

[Insopitus]

I use a three quarter square inch piece of 3M surgical tape placed over my two lips at the center part of my mouth. I've employed this technique for several months; it keeps my mouth closed for about 90% to 100% of the time and it beats wearing that infernal chin strap.

Try it out and see how it works for you.

[avi123]

Taping mouth to prevent Dry Mouth is a MYTH.

Taping your lips don't stop air from entering your mouth from the nose and throat, i.e. from the "back side" (pharynx). When you swallow your saliva which is generated in the salivary glands around the mouth, and then you swallow it (also during sleep), air must come in from the back to replace the swallowed saliva's volume because your lips are taped closed and air can't come in from the front to do it. So this air circulation, from the "back side", will dry your mouth in spite of taping it. It could be to a lesser degree than from an untaped mouth also b/c the air from the pharynx is moister. It is clear that taping your mouth to prevent a Dry Mouth, completely, is not true. It seems to be a myth ( some Russians are pushing this myth). There is no way to prevent some air going thru your mouth.

You better off with a Chinstrap which would prevent opening the mouth very wide but would allow some lips opening to let air to be breathed from the front. However, using a Chinstrap instead of a full face mask would cause the XPAP's treatment to be effected

How to Sleep with Mouth Closed: Tape Mouth At Night

http://www.normalbreathing.com/l-mouth-taping.php