How much does mouth taping help?

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:27 pm

I'm doing much better on this my second trial of CPAP - events lower but still can't keep the mask on more than about 4 hours. My sleep doctor's office wants me to add mouth taping (Somnifix strips) to my routine. I bought the strips but they scare me a little. How much do they really help? I haven't used them yet.

let us know if you've decided on taping or not. kinda like to know.

I tried the somnifix mouth tape strips but they didn't really work for me as they still have a hole in them and still caused me to exhale out mouth part of night. Seems like no matter how good I tape or try to stop the mouth it just powers its way through the tape or strip and causes me to leak somewhat. Some nights are better than others but Im starting to think there is some kind of body process that is telling my mouth to breathe in or out while I sleep. There is no way just the jaw dropping is tearing through that tight of tape.\

Chin-up strips.
You can still breathe through your mouth in a power outage,
but it is awkward enough to cut it way down.

Have been using Somnifix strips and now it's something else I take off at night without knowing it. Sometimes I find it sticking to my nightstand. Have no idea how it got there.

I find taping with masking tape works if I’m clean shaven, but a little bit of stubble and it’s game over. Can’t even imagine a full beard.

Is there another option or better adhesive tape? It seems that the mouth drool and jaw opening and closing gets it open, and then if the outer seal isn’t perfect, it just flaps open somewhere.

BrianinTN wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:20 pm

I find taping with masking tape works if I’m clean shaven, but a little bit of stubble and it’s game over. Can’t even imagine a full beard.

Is there another option or better adhesive tape? It seems that the mouth drool and jaw opening and closing gets it open, and then if the outer seal isn’t perfect, it just flaps open somewhere.

foam cervical collar to help keep the jaw up. then, scuncis-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

i cannot stress enough how user jay aitchsee and his method has helped me. i yap about this whenever i get the chance, so i'm sorry if you've read it before.

i have modified this rig to work better with my oddly shaped head. i use a sunci and a goody because the goody has a slightly smaller circumference. i use a cut piece of plastic sandwich bag between front teeth and gums. i use a glasses cleaning cloth over the outside of my compressed lips. put the scunci over that and stretch it over the crown of my head. an elastic band over the scunci just under my nose.

goody over that stretching downwards around the back of my neck. elastic band across the top of my lip stretched around the back of my neck. same deal for lower lip. then mask up and collar after that.

you know, this may be the first time i've described the process. any road, this guarantees no mouth leaks for me. and dropped my ahi, by itself, by a full point.

this doesn't last forever. stretches out over multiple nights. but i keep spares galore. and a trip through the washer/dryer returns it's shape. after a number of times through the cycle, it just gives up and won't snap back.

but it's fairly cheap and it works for me. maybe it can work for you?

BrianinTN wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:20 pm

I find taping with masking tape works if I’m clean shaven, but a little bit of stubble and it’s game over. Can’t even imagine a full beard.

Is there another option or better adhesive tape? It seems that the mouth drool and jaw opening and closing gets it open, and then if the outer seal isn’t perfect, it just flaps open somewhere.

3m Micropore tape. You can buy it just about anywhere in 1" variety. I recently found 2" on aebay and I think i Like it better than 2 - 1" strips. Only complaint I heart about the tape is it can be hard to get off at times.

BrianinTN wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:20 pm

I find taping with masking tape works if I’m clean shaven, but a little bit of stubble and it’s game over. Can’t even imagine a full beard.

Is there another option or better adhesive tape? It seems that the mouth drool and jaw opening and closing gets it open, and then if the outer seal isn’t perfect, it just flaps open somewhere.

Try KT tape--the regular, NOT the PRO. (Cut 3" pieces)
I use the PRO over my CGM sensor--it stays on 5 or 6 days, and is doggone sticky!
Edit: only use the regular--the Pro can remove epidermis--ouch!

Everything with Cpap therapy is different for everyone. Mouth tape may work well for some and maybe not for you.
OR maybe you just haven't found the right method, or tape, or mask, or pillow, or chin strap, or neck brace (etc..etc..etc..) yet.
Basically you just have to keep throwing time and money at the problem until you finally find something that works for you. I'm pretty sure we all have a huge box of old cpap masks, hoses, tapes, etc.. etc. that have been tried over the years. My experience has been that 30 days is often not long enough to fully test a mask. After 30 days you're stuck with it. Not much resale value in a used cpap mask so it ends up in the cpap box. Personally I had to give up on nasal masks after trying everything. Good luck!

CynthiaR wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 3:31 pm

Mouth taping can certainly help, as can a cervical collar or chin strap. I like the Knightsbridge Dual Band chin strap. (Don't waste your money on the cheap neoprene ones you find on Amazon. They wrap around the tip of the chin and push your jaw into your jaw joint. Very uncomfortable and ineffective.) The Knightsbridge Dual Band lifts from below the jaw. It's very comfortable and bring my mouth leaks to nearly zero most nights.

I just ordered the chin strap. I found out I have a big head (guess I already knew that.)

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 27, 2019 10:00 pm

Have been using Somnifix strips and now it's something else I take off at night without knowing it. Sometimes I find it sticking to my nightstand. Have no idea how it got there.

Do you have any nasal congestion?

When taping the mouth shut is not tolerated, it can mean you're not able to breathe through your nose so you take it off.

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:27 pm

I'm doing much better on this my second trial of CPAP - events lower but still can't keep the mask on more than about 4 hours. My sleep doctor's office wants me to add mouth taping (Somnifix strips) to my routine. I bought the strips but they scare me a little. How much do they really help? I haven't used them yet.

A little more permanent solution is to learn to keep your tongue at the top of your mouth. The tip of your tongue somewhere behind/near the top of your top teeth. Play with it until you can open your mouth with you mask and machine on ..... and no air escapes. Once you find the spot .... practice, practice, practice in the daytime until it is a habit.

This tongue position also is, apparently, better for breathing in general ..... so might help a bit with your feelings of suffocation.

Cpapian wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:34 pm

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:27 pm

I'm doing much better on this my second trial of CPAP - events lower but still can't keep the mask on more than about 4 hours. My sleep doctor's office wants me to add mouth taping (Somnifix strips) to my routine. I bought the strips but they scare me a little. How much do they really help? I haven't used them yet.

A little more permanent solution is to learn to keep your tongue at the top of your mouth. The tip of your tongue somewhere behind/near the top of your top teeth. Play with it until you can open your mouth with you mask and machine on ..... and no air escapes. Once you find the spot .... practice, practice, practice in the daytime until it is a habit.

This tongue position also is, apparently, better for breathing in general ..... so might help a bit with your feelings of suffocation.

Do you speak from personal experience? I'm wondering if practicing during the day bleeds into being able to keep it up and not mouth breathe during sleep.

Cpapian wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:34 pm

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:27 pm

I'm doing much better on this my second trial of CPAP - events lower but still can't keep the mask on more than about 4 hours. My sleep doctor's office wants me to add mouth taping (Somnifix strips) to my routine. I bought the strips but they scare me a little. How much do they really help? I haven't used them yet.

A little more permanent solution is to learn to keep your tongue at the top of your mouth. The tip of your tongue somewhere behind/near the top of your top teeth. Play with it until you can open your mouth with you mask and machine on ..... and no air escapes. Once you find the spot .... practice, practice, practice in the daytime until it is a habit.

People keep saying that, but even if I mash my tongue on top of my oral cavity, I can still let air escape, or indeed, breathe in that position, alternatively, I can open my mouth, and stick my tongue out... and no air escapes, unless I want it to.

*shrugs*. (and I'm not the only one.)

nee wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:47 pm

Cpapian wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:34 pm

KTinTexas wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 14, 2019 1:27 pm

I'm doing much better on this my second trial of CPAP - events lower but still can't keep the mask on more than about 4 hours. My sleep doctor's office wants me to add mouth taping (Somnifix strips) to my routine. I bought the strips but they scare me a little. How much do they really help? I haven't used them yet.

A little more permanent solution is to learn to keep your tongue at the top of your mouth. The tip of your tongue somewhere behind/near the top of your top teeth. Play with it until you can open your mouth with you mask and machine on ..... and no air escapes. Once you find the spot .... practice, practice, practice in the daytime until it is a habit.

This tongue position also is, apparently, better for breathing in general ..... so might help a bit with your feelings of suffocation.

Do you speak from personal experience? I'm wondering if practicing during the day bleeds into being able to keep it up and not mouth breathe during sleep.

Yes ..... it is from my personal experience ...... I made a concerted effort. ..... strangley enough while on the treadmill ...... being a boring activity. ..... I practice memory work while walking .....doing the times tables backwards, walking and keeping my tongue in the "spot". I think about it at other times during the day, before going to bed and checking whenever I wake up.

I can't speak for other people's anatomy and/or success, but I did it and got the idea from others who also succeeded.

It's worth a try, it's free and apparently the right place for your tongue.