What to use to seal mouth closed?

[Hannibal 2]

You might try this headband solution: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1086296 .
I and a few others have found it very effective. Doesn't cost much to try.

Yes I saw this post before but couldn't see how it could possibly work effectively, surely you can open your lips and breathe through it. With tape you know it's sealed.

[Jay Aitchsee]

You might try this headband solution: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1086296 .
I and a few others have found it very effective. Doesn't cost much to try.

Yes I saw this post before but couldn't see how it could possibly work effectively, surely you can open your lips and breathe through it. With tape you know it's sealed.

Yes, but there is an advantage to being able to open the lips to exhale, it is normal at times to do so. It is used as a mechanism to blow off excess co2 by altering the dead space of respiratory system. Open lips also allow the release of pressure which otherwise might result in disturbing chipmunk cheeks which often result with taping. The cloth doesn't stop all air from escaping through the mouth, but it reduces it considerably and thereby reduces or eliminates the resulting disturbing noise of the exhale and reduces the scored leaks. Further, the band tends to keep the lips closed. Additionally, the band tends to inhibit inhaling through the mouth due to the reduced airflow through the cloth.

Plus, a major factor, the cloth does not irate the skin!

I kind of liken this to mask liners which are touted as stopping leaks. Obviously, cloth mask liners being porous can not eliminate leaks, but they do apparently make the leaks more tolerable and are used by many.

As I said, it doesn't cost much to try it.

[Hannibal 2]

You might try this headband solution: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1086296 .
I and a few others have found it very effective. Doesn't cost much to try.

Yes I saw this post before but couldn't see how it could possibly work effectively, surely you can open your lips and breathe through it. With tape you know it's sealed.

Yes, but there is an advantage to being able to open the lips to exhale, it is normal at times to do so. It is used as a mechanism to blow off excess co2 by altering the dead space of respiratory system. Open lips also allow the release of pressure which otherwise might result in disturbing chipmunk cheeks which often result with taping. The cloth doesn't stop all air from escaping through the mouth, but it reduces it considerably and thereby reduces or eliminates the resulting disturbing noise of the exhale and reduces the scored leaks. Further, the band tends to keep the lips closed. Additionally, the band tends to inhibit inhaling through the mouth due to the reduced airflow through the cloth.

Plus, a major factor, the cloth does not irate the skin!

I kind of liken this to mask liners which are touted as stopping leaks. Obviously, cloth mask liners being porous can not eliminate leaks, but they do apparently make the leaks more tolerable and are used by many.

As I said, it doesn't cost much to try it.

Ok you've got me curious now so I'll give it a try, ironically I already have some headbands on order for another experiment which I'll post about if it's successful.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Ok you've got me curious now so I'll give it a try, ironically I already have some headbands on order for another experiment which I'll post about if it's successful.

Right, these headbands are quite useful for a variety of things. I just happened to have some on hand while I was helping a person who needed something to reduce mouth breathing (intolerable dry mouth), but couldn't tolerate tape. I thought of the headband and tried one on myself before recommending it to him. It worked so well that I still use it and, as far as I know, so does he.
I've been using a headband for about 4 months and it has reduced my mouth leak average by about 1/2, like from an average of about 8 to 4L/min overnight. That's the average. Other indices have been reduced as well. Like time over leak threshold from around 4% to around 1%. Admittedly, my mouth leaks weren't too bad to begin with, but they are a lot less, now.
If you use the Scuncii brand, it has an internal band on one side. I've found that by wearing the headband with the internal band down, it tends to push the lower lip up a little and help keep it closed. Another thing the headband seems to do, and I don't know why, is to prompt me unconsciously to place the tip of my tongue at the top front of my mouth helping to seal the throat.
Good luck with your trial.

[Hannibal 2]

If you use the Scuncii brand, it has an internal band on one side. I've found that by wearing the headband with the internal band down, it tends to push the lower lip up a little and help keep it closed. Another thing the headband seems to do, and I don't know why, is to prompt me unconsciously to place the tip of my tongue at the top front of my mouth helping to seal the throat.
Good luck with your trial.

The ones I've ordered are not Scunci but I've found them on Amazon UK I think. I have added to my shopping list as a backup, thanks again

[JimW159]

Having the same issues with controlling leaks and mouth breathing, I have been following this thread. I have done several things (including some noted here) to little avail. The past three nights I have done the following:
Night 1) Taped with 3M Micropore tape - applied Sensi-Care skin protectant (the pads, not the cream) - few leaks - occasional chipmunk cheeks - AHI 4.88 - removing tape somewhat painful (this stuff STICKS)
Night 2) as in 1, above. - AHI 2.66 - tape removal more painful with some small skin abrading - sore neck
Night 3) Following the information about the Chin-Up strips and watching the video of its application, I modified the process in 1 & 2 to include applying lip balm around my mouth rather than the Sensi-Care pads. In the first application of tape I must not have wiped it off enough because the tape did not stick well. Taking more off corrected the issue and the tape held well. AHI 2.88 with zero large leak (SH reported leak @ weighted average of 5.31, med 2.40, 95% 16.8, max 27.60 this occurred once for a span of one second) - Tape removal was much easier and less problematical. I also wore a soft cervical collar to help maintain neck position hoping to eliminate the sore neck issue - it seemed to work.
Thus far, even with this small sample, I feel good enough with the procedure to continue. I have ordered two types of the Chin-Up strips (tan and white) to see if they offer any improvement. I have also ordered a tube of the Sensi-Care skin protectant cream for the same reason. It may well come to be that Vaseline or Chap Stick will end up the default skin protectant under tape if for no other reason than cost and availability. We will see.

[REDHEADED LIL]

I changed out to a nasal mask just to try it from a ffm Amera View (which has a hard plastic front). Being a mouth breather with very dry mouth I tried tape & a chin strap with the nasal mask the Swift Nano. After a few weeks of trying with discomfort & lousey all around results, I finally broke down got a soft collar. I started to think that maybe I can get away from all the taping & just use the Amera View with the collar (collar took just a few hrs. to get used to). I am finally pleased with the results though not any worse & maybe better, but feel so much more comfortable with no more dry mouth with just the Amera View, Xyliment & soft collar..no more taping or any chin strap adding to the pressure on my face. The soft collar I got in size 2.5 from Walmart on the internet. Sometimes you have to experiment with what might seem extreme at first like the collar seemed to be for me.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to respond to questions as I have learnt so much from you all.

[Hannibal 2]

I changed out to a nasal mask just to try it from a ffm Amera View (which has a hard plastic front). Being a mouth breather with very dry mouth I tried tape & a chin strap with the nasal mask the Swift Nano. After a few weeks of trying with discomfort & lousey all around results, I finally broke down got a soft collar. I started to think that maybe I can get away from all the taping & just use the Amera View with the collar (collar took just a few hrs. to get used to). I am finally pleased with the results though not any worse & maybe better, but feel so much more comfortable with no more dry mouth with just the Amera View, Xyliment & soft collar..no more taping or any chin strap adding to the pressure on my face. The soft collar I got in size 2.5 from Walmart on the internet. Sometimes you have to experiment with what might seem extreme at first like the collar seemed to be for me.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to respond to questions as I have learnt so much from you all.

I know collars work for some, as do chin straps. But I am convinced that if I tried these I would just open my lips and inhale through my teeth. Last night I taped just the middle third of my lips, it felt enough to stop any air escaping. I could tell it hadn't worked as my mouth felt really dry just at the outside thirds of my lips.