What do people do to stop small mouth leaks?

[boxiebunny]

Hi. I use a nasal mask. The full face mask I tried leaks too much and puts too much pressure on the bridge of my nose. I have been using the CPAP for about a year. Early on, I started using a chin strap to keep my mouth shut but lately, I have been waking up to a whistling sound with air going out a small opening between my lips. The chin strap cannot address that. I am open to suggestions. I have been thinking of taping the ends of my mouth shut while leaving an opening in the middle but I am afraid to try taping my mouth shut in case my nose clogs up and I need to breathe.

[Nord]

Welcome BB...

Easy answer is Full Face mask... or possibly a different chin strap that is more suited.

This is just an opinion and not advice.
Taping can and does work if you are willing to do it all the time. (Painter's tape)
It can be claustrophobic for some (many) but your body is programmed to breathe and you will take off the mask or tape to do so.
Some people have also tried Denture cream between the lips. (short term... I would guess)

There are many threads about mouth-breathing when you do a search (perhaps... tape)

Positioning and strengthening muscles in your tongue will also help greatly in controlling leaks through the lips.
Place it behind your front teeth resting on the top of your mouth... firmly... as you are going to sleep.

Nord

[LSAT]

You seem to have hit all the solutions to mouth leaks.....FF Mask, Chin Strap, Tape. I have found that the Papcap chinstrap worked for me when I use my nasal mask. I also use the Quarttro FF Mask without serious leak problems.

[boxiebunny]

Thanks for your responses. I will try the tape first. Then, I will try Papcap chinstrap and/or the full face mask as you have suggested. I think that the person at the sleep center has a specific dealer that she deals with and is not offering different brands. I may have to try one on my own somehow. She only uses Respironics products. I would like to try that Papcap chinstrap.

[Julie]

You've only tried one FF mask? Well try some more, in different sizes, and you should find one that works for you.

[DannyPh]

After almost three years of therapy and still using the Swift II nasal Pillows and having tried several Chin straps I am currently using the Ruby Chin Strap and it is the best chin strap I have tried. I also have the Resmed Hybrid mask for when I am congested and the Nasal pillows are out of the Question.

[Naranjadia]

Thanks for asking this - I've run into this issue with my new settings and the chin-strap isn't cutting it. I have ordered a Pap-Cap to see if it is more effective than my current strap.

By painter's tape do people mean regular masking tape, or the specialized wider tape (blue?)

[sleepmba]

In the lab when I'm performing titrations...I'll try a chin strap on them....sometimes I have the patient moisten their lips which makes for a better mouth seal.

At home, I have a pillow positioned beneath my chin to keep my mouth closed. Sometimes I adjust the heated humidity. Good Luck!!!

[elena88]

a cat strategically placed under your neck works great too!

[Guest]

A Cflex machine set to level 3 (1, 2, 3) should cure your problem. Good luck.

[boxiebunny]

This is great. I am going to try all the suggestions, one at a time and see what works. Thanks!