Best masks for mouth breathers?

I'm curious, with the wealth of experience of the people using this website, which masks have been the most effective for mouth breathers? Overall, what has been the most effective CPAP therapy for mouth breathers? Thanks. -Chuck-

There is a whole recent thread you might want to take a look at

viewtopic/t99378/Mouth-breathing.html

Chuck Connors wrote:I'm curious, with the wealth of experience of the people using this website, which masks have been the most effective for mouth breathers? Overall, what has been the most effective CPAP therapy for mouth breathers? Thanks. -Chuck-

Hi Chuck,

Are you asking the question because of dissatisfaction with your mask? Just wondering.

Can't remember your history but are you sure you are a mouth breather? I erroneously thought I was limited to full face masks but found that the elan cloth mask in my profile works just as well as the leaks aren't any worse and stay in the acceptable range. Hasn't led to great sleep but I feel there are other issues affecting that.

If you are limited to full face masks, unfortunately, it really is trial and error as what works for one person might be a disaster for you.

49er

I have an angular face shape. Its not round nor do I have weight on my face or double chins or any thing like that. I say that for I was told by my DME IF true that the QUATTRO AIR FF Mask was best for my type of face.

All I know is that she was right and i don't have any leaks and i sleep like a baby now I am at the right pressure level for myself and use a rinse by NeilMed in my nose before i go to sleep each nigh t so as i don't become stuffed up. If I do get stuffed up, in my sleep I take the mask off and sleep without it............i had to learn to overcome the stuffy nose and nothing was working until I used this nightly rinse.........which you should consider if you get stuffed up yourself and then breathe out of your mouth....

That just so happened to be the best mask for me but it might now be for someone else

It's a bit like asking which shoes fit best. The shape of faces vary, so the best mask varies with the face.

What specific problems are you having?

Thank you for your replies. I'm trying to maximize the CPAP therapy effectiveness for a mouth breather, such as myself. There are only negatives associated with mouth breathing, whether daytime or nighttime. I can take steps to correct the daytime mouth breathing, and would like to do the same with nighttime mouth breathing. A deviated septum I had has been corrected through surgery, but unfortunately, I've learned to be a mouth breather over the years due to that condition. -Chuck-

Good luck with learning how to avoid being a mouth breather at night. You may need a chinstrap, although I find that doesn't always work for me. Seems that the extent of opening my mouth depends on the humidity, among other things. Getting the right mask will certainly help and I find that is an ongoing process unless you have a friendly and expert DME who can guide you on the right fit. The manufacturers probably have a face in mind when they design these things, but I wonder how many of us actually have that "ideal" face? Maybe they need to get a wider range of testers when they have a prototype mask ... I would be happy to provide comments if they ever asked me!

The challenge with mouth breathing is not just about getting to be a nose breather, but also about the damage that can be done to teeth - with the mouth breathing drying up the saliva, or the "solution" moving teeth ... Add a beard into the mix and the choice really comes down to nasal pillows ...