Mouthguards and Mouth Breathing

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:15 pm

I have been taping my mouth shut for the past 3 months or so and have grown to love it

Despite this, I wouldn't mind finding a more elegant solution.

It seems to me that a simple piece of rubber, properly shaped, that would sit in front of the teeth (between the lips and the teeth) should do the trick. The problem is, there doesn't seem to be anything like that around.

I have seen mention on the Internet of people who have gone out and purchased sports mouthguards for 3 dollars at their local sports shop and have found these to be workable for use with CPAP. I am wondering if anyone is out there who has experience with this and could name a brand or give some direction.

Thanks.

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:22 pm

After 4 mths I changed to a vpap and I was able to keep my mouth closed and no more dry mouth and dry throat in the morning. you might be too strong on the exhale setting.
Barnaby

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:23 pm

After 4 mths I changed to a vpap and I was able to keep my mouth closed and no more dry mouth and dry throat in the morning. you might be too strong on the exhale setting.
Barnaby

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:33 pm

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750

Dave,

I think this is what you're looking for.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:54 pm

Lori...you still coming south when

Barnaby

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:57 pm

Hey Lori,

Way to find the exact thread that is the definative discussion on this subject.

I knew there was a reason we like you around here.

BTW, I love your new avatar.

jcarn · Post by **jcarn** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:04 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote:http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750

Dave,

I think this is what you're looking for.

That's a great link .. I made a mouthpiece similar to that, but used only one "boil and bite", clipped off the ends, and formed a "tongue rest".
I use this along with a chinstrap. It helps, but if you have sinus trouble/congestion you may need a FF. I use the Aura and Ultra, alternating between the two.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:35 pm

dkeat wrote:It seems to me that a simple piece of rubber, properly shaped, that would sit in front of the teeth (between the lips and the teeth) should do the trick. The problem is, there doesn't seem to be anything like that around.

I think you're right dkeat. Quite a scavenger hunt went on for several months on the TAS board in the summer of 2004, looking for exactly the right material to fashion the kind of simple air blocker you're talking about:

Jul 08 2004 subject: The search for silicone

Closest I came to making what you're talking about...something to go between lips and teeth to dam the air back... was what I called my "Nexcare Dam". Worked quite well for me.

Jun 09 2004 subject: Air leak solution, maybe? - nexcare dam

Lab rats (and tapirs) do crazy things, don't we!

Here are some more links in the history of desperate measures people have gone to trying to control mouth air leaks. snork1 will remember a lot of these trials and tribulations:

Jun 10 2003 subject: No more tape! Hairband over mouth works!

Jan 09 2004 subject: Chin staps?

Apr 01 2004 subject: blows out the mouth help please

Apr 22 2004 subject: mouth puffing update

May 11 2004 subject: Duct Tape

Jul 01 2004 subject: yes, mouth leaks again...a new variation

Jul 11 2004 subject: mouth leak new oral appliance solution, tongue seal

Jul 14 2004 subject: Mouth breathing; need new ideas!

Jul 15 2004 subject: mouth dam

Jul 24 2004 subject: Chin-Up Strips

Aug 11 2004 subject: Mouth Leak

Aug 31 2004 subject: Puffing out air

Aug 31 2004 subject: Mouth leak training wheels

Sep 26 2004 subject: snork1-lip strap and mouth things for leaks???

Sep 20 2004 subject: QUESTION FOR MOUTH TAPERS

Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance

Jan 29 2005 subject: Mouth leaks - need tongue control!

fnorette · Post by **fnorette** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:38 pm

There is still the Nose Breathe device made by a dentist (Dr. Sue) for $80 http://www.nosebreathe.com . I've had mine since August of last year and it's been a tremendous help. Hardly notice I'm wearing it, but if I don't the "mouth puffs" return immediately.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:06 pm

Barnaby,

I'll PM you. Don't want to hijack the thread. Talk to you soon.

Wading,

Thanks! I'll PM you, too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:38 pm

Thanks for the links r.g.

I have been searching for exactly the information you listed. There are such a variety of options to consider and now they're in one place. You never cease to amaze us!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:39 pm

I ordered the Nosebreath device from Doctor Sue in Hawaii. It costs $80.00 but it is made from a model of your teeth and is thin and light weight. The home made ones I tried were too thick, sharp and induced drolling easier.

I don't have the web site, but just google Nosebreathe, Dr. Sue

It works very well and is guaranteed to fit.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:00 pm

jcarn's DIY device is similar to one that I made, except mine wasn't that color, and I also figured out you can trim away quite a bit of the device and make it VERY thin and its still effective, possibly more so in fact, and certainly the more your trim away, the more comfortable it can be.

Based on someone's input, I also made a "one-piece" unit out of the boil and bite that doesn't stay in place quite as well, although its sufficient, but it avoids having to bond that extra glob in place while still forming that shelf. Basically you just push all the front material back when you first "melt" it. Its easier to make it that way in some ways and harder in others.

Of course at the moment I am lab ratting the VERY pricey solution to mouth leaks...and maybe reducing certain apneas, with the Aveo TSD device. Which REALLY takes some fiddling and getting used to, but at least you don't have to make it and it certainly stops mouth leaks.

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:04 pm

Was away for a few days. Many thanks for all the tips. It will take some time to sort through all of this and figure out where I want to start. As far as a sinus condition, that is not my problem at all. Apparently I have enlarged turbinates and I am scheduled for a "barbeque" on the 18th of this month. Will certainly let you know how that turns out.

By the way, I am wondering where you get the raw materials for those DIY mouthguards, but mayber that answer is contained in some of the material I need to go through.

Thanks again.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:37 am

dkeat wrote:..... As far as a sinus condition, that is not my problem at all. Apparently I have enlarged turbinates......
Thanks again.

I consider the turbinates to be part of the nose/sinus "tuneup" package. That was certainly a major part of MY nasal renovation.

Mouthguards and Mouth Breathing

Mouthguards and Mouth Breathing

Re: Mouthguards and Mouth Breathing

Thanks for all the replies!

Re: Thanks for all the replies!

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