Any way to tell if you are a mouth breather?

I am about to make my first CPAP purchase, but I am not sure whether a nasal pillow is for me (obviously those are the kind of things that can't be returned once used). I do not really breathe through my mouth during the day, but I know that I open my mouth when I snore. That said, my dentist say that I grind my teeth, and I do not think that would be possible with my mouth open, so I guess that I only open my mouth to snore. Given that a CPap should help with the snoring, I am wondering if it might also help with sleeping with my mouth open.

BxA wrote:I am about to make my first CPAP purchase, but I am not sure whether a nasal pillow is for me (obviously those are the kind of things that can't be returned once used). I do not really breathe through my mouth during the day, but I know that I open my mouth when I snore. That said, my dentist say that I grind my teeth, and I do not think that would be possible with my mouth open, so I guess that I only open my mouth to snore. Given that a CPap should help with the snoring, I am wondering if it might also help with sleeping with my mouth open.

If you are making a CPAP purchase...the machine doesn't matter in regard to mouth breathing...the mask does. A mouth breather normally would be bothered with dry mouth and if that is the case, a full face mask would be appropriate. If you are purchasing from a DME, many will allow exchanges during the first 30 days. Often you need to ask them about it,,,they sometimes don't tell you that. They get replacements from the manufacturers for used masks. If you start with nasal pillows or a nasal mask and find later that you are mouth breathing you can tape your mouth or try a chin strap. If you had a sleep study, it would note whether you were mouth breathing......Did you have a sleep study? What were the results?

I grind my teeth and am a mouth breather for much of the night.

Thanks for the replies.

Well, I am looking to buy a CPAP system (machine and mask).

I have had a sleep test done, AHI of 23 (right in the middle of moderate sleep apnea), 20 page reports that include sleep position and limb movement, but no comment on mouth breathing. Most of the snoring occur during REM sleep, and I guess that I would be breathing through the mouth at least during that period. Sometime I would "catch myself" snoring and my mouth would be open at that stage. What I am not sure is whether this only happens while I am untreated, or if it will go away after treatment.

After thinking about it, I might just go for both. I certainly like the idea of nose pillows, as it seems more comfortable, and as I run hot, I wonder if a full mask might make my face feel hotter. Whereas a full mask would be handy if I turn out to be a mouth breather, and even if I don't, it could be handy when I have a cold.

Get the nasal pillow mask first.
If you decide you need or want a full face mask later...cross that bridge when you come to it.
If you normally can breathe through your nose just fine during the day and you want to start with a nasal pillow mask because of its minimalistic appearance...go for it.

I have been on cpap therapy 8 years now...the first 6 I didn't even own a full face mask because I couldn't find one I could sleep with for various reasons. Always used nasal pillow masks.
2 years ago I tried the Amara View and found I could sleep with it...so I kept it for times when I just couldn't breathe through my nose.. I am still waiting...8 years now and I still haven't had a situation where I couldn't breathe only through my nose. The Amara View gets more use when I loan it out for people to try than it gets from me. I have yet needed to sleep with it beyond the testing I did 2 years ago to see if I could even sleep with it.

BTW....when I first started therapy I thought I was a mouth breather...dry mouth, sore throat, etc...all were from gasping for air due to the apnea events. Once I no longer was suffocating and needing extra air...my mouth stays shut (for the most part) and I no longer gasp for breaths causing the mouth breathing.

Thanks again, for the replies.

Incidentally, amongst the full face mask I looked at, the Amara View is also the one I am considering.

As for the Nasal Pillow, I am looking at both the P10 (which seems to be pretty tried and tested), and the newer Dreamwear Gel Pillows. I do not suppose that you (or anyone else) has had experience with both?

In terms of maintenance/cleaning, is there much difference between full face and nasal pillow?

BxA wrote:As for the Nasal Pillow, I am looking at both the P10 (which seems to be pretty tried and tested), and the newer Dreamwear Gel Pillows. I do not suppose that you (or anyone else) has had experience with both?

Actually the P10 has been my primary mask for probably 3 years now and I just recently concluded a lengthy experiment with the DreamWear Gel pillows. Got them when first released in mid April I think and used them until about a month ago when I went back to the P10. I wouldn't have spent months using it if I didn't like it.
So extensive experience with both.
Both masks have minor pros and cons..all masks do...none are totally perfect.
My main problem with the Dreamwear gel pillows...is the smallest size it comes in is the Small and I think I might do better with an XSmall and wanted to try it but can't. I get a little too much mask movement that annoys me (wakes me up) and I can't seem to stop it. I think it is related to the fit of the Small pillows. I think I would do better with a little bit smaller pillow.

The P10 venting...silent and diffuse...have to have your hand about an inch from the holes to feel it.
The Gel pillow venting...greatly annoys a lot of people. Didn't annoy me all that much though as it rarely bounced back on me. Did sometimes hit hubby though.

Masks all come with a huge YMMV sticker. You have to try one to know how well it does with your own preferences and needs. My preferences and needs might be different than yours.

Full face masks probably require a little more washing due to facial oils on the silicone and there's simply more surface area touching the skin with FFM so more chance for oil to accumulate.
Nasal pillows..not much to touch the skin...I might go 2 to 4 weeks between washings. No way could anyone do that with a FFM.
Hot soapy water with either though...nothing special in that regard.

If you find you are a mouth-breather but don't like the thought of a regular full-face mask, you could look into one of these. They're not your typical full-face masks:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

I've used the Hybrid (first one on the list above) for over 10 years.

Thanks again for the reply.

I have seen sizing charts for full face mask, but that there are none for nose pillows since you can't exactly measure your nostril (accurately), but they do provide different sizes.

Do the pillows last a while or should I expect to replace them several time per day?

One of my concern with the P10 is the lack of Velcro (and I think it's one size fits all?). How often in those 3 years have you needed to change the strap (actually, can you change the strap only or do you need to buy the whole thing again?).

BxA wrote:Do the pillows last a while or should I expect to replace them several time per day?

One of my concern with the P10 is the lack of Velcro (and I think it's one size fits all?). How often in those 3 years have you needed to change the strap (actually, can you change the strap only or do you need to buy the whole thing again?).

The P10 nasal pillows will last months and months and months. I am coming on 12 months with the set I am using now.
A lot depends on your cleaning routine. I have no cleaning routine they get washed maybe once a month.

The headgear on the P10...comes in 2 sizes. The Regular blue gray and the "for Her" pink/gray which is smaller than the regular.
The first one I got was the regular size and it did stretch out but I could shrink it back with some hot water washings about once a month. After about 10 months it wouldn't shrink back....so got a new mask package but this time I got the "for Her" sized headgear which is about 2 or 3 inches smaller (I am female with small bone structure and small head) and so far I haven't even had to wash it and it will be 1 year in October using this headgear.

And yes...the packages come with 3 sizes and make sure you get all 3 sizes because you never know if you might want to try a different size.
The For Her package with pink/gray smaller headgear of the P10..3 sizes...XSmall, Small, Medium nasal pillows
The Regular package with blue/gray of the P10....3 sizes....Small, Medium, Large nasal pillows.

BxA wrote:I am about to make my first CPAP purchase, but I am not sure whether a nasal pillow is for me (obviously those are the kind of things that can't be returned once used). I do not really breathe through my mouth during the day, but I know that I open my mouth when I snore. That said, my dentist say that I grind my teeth, and I do not think that would be possible with my mouth open, so I guess that I only open my mouth to snore. Given that a CPap should help with the snoring, I am wondering if it might also help with sleeping with my mouth open.

Personally I went through few hoops to determine am a mouth breather and what's best for me

- Started therapy with a N20 nasal mask
- Day 1 and 2 .. extreme dry mouth. Was an easy guess that I was opening my mouth in sleep
- Day 3 onward started using a chin strap and it immediately helped though I had to try 2-3 chin straps before settling on one, to optimize for my need
- Fast forward 50+ days .. I noticed that air was slipping through my mouth even though it was mostly shut (How do I know? I have an overnight video recording using an IP camera and NVR software to review). It wasn't really making much of a difference i.e. the leak was never more than 2.4 or 3.6L but I want to fine tune anyway.
- Used mouth tape (the painter one) and the problem went away. Didn't really like the glue on my mouth but accepted it as part of the hose journey
- However using 3 things (mask, strap and tape) on head and face made me rethink of trying a full face mask. My supplies refill on my insurance was up for a new mask and cushion (no out of pocket) so didn't have to pay and worth trying
- Tried 3 days with AirFit F20. first day had 3.6L leak, second 2.4 and third 0. All three days I could sense I was opening the mouth (sometimes if not all the time) but didn't experience any dry throat or another weird feeling and have been happy so far. I think will stick with that mask.

In short video recording and some persistence helped.

Apparently full face masks have a higher profit margin,
which might explain why they are so earnestly pushed onto new patients.
Even if you are a mouth breather befpre cpap, you may not be once treated for a while.
Hopefully, you are not one of those who cannot ever enjoy a minimal mask.

What kind of mask did they use on you during the titration portion of your sleep test? They tried a nasal mask on me at first, but had to swap to a full face mask when they discovered I am a mouth breathe while sleeping.

They did not have my size nasal mask, so it was the quattro--or no test.
Needless to say, I will not recommend Somnos to anyone.

I also debated what mask to start with when I got my CPAP last week. I have often caught myself mouth breathing during the day but I wasn't sure if that was because I wear a surgical mask most of the day. I started with the N20 nasal mask and luck would have it, my mouth stayed closed.

I am now considering trying a nasal pillow mask as well while it's still early. At first I thought if it ain't broke don't fix it...but might as well start with the least fussiest and lowest profile one right? (Are those descriptions even accurate?)

Sounds like the P10 seems to be a winner? Thanks for the comparison Pugsy, I was wondering about the Dreamwear before reading your post.