Struggling with Tap Pap Mouth Piece - Any Tips?

[rsprods]

I recently bought a Tap Pap nasal pillow mask and while I'm impressed with the design of the system, I'm having a horrible time getting the mouth piece to fit, or should I say, getting the mouth piece to maintain it's fit.

I've literally gone through the mouth piece fitting process dozens of times. The main problem I keep encountering is that if I get a decent fit, 24 hours later it's too tight and puts way too much pressure on my teeth. I've tried wiggling the mouthpiece during the fitting process; I've tried not sucking too hard; I've tried fitting it loosely and then immediately placing it in cool water so that it doesn't slowly shrink/tighten up over the next several hours. If I make it too loose, it won't support the rest of the device; if I fit it properly, it's too tight later that night or the next morning. The only solution I've come up with - and it's hit and miss - is to repeat the fitting process (placing the mouth piece in boiling water, etc.) every night which, according to the reps at the company that make the mask, I shouldn't have to do.

Does anyone have any tips on how to both achieve and maintain a comfortable fit?

MANY thanks!

[Pugsy]

Rosie had a similar problem with it wanting to cool down and shrink more after removal in the AM. I think she would remove it and immediately wrap it in a towel but I fail to see how that would keep it warm enough all day but maybe it helps.

One thing I found when putting the mouth guard in the mouth after it had sit all day ....if it seemed a little snug I ran it under some fairly warm water for about 30 seconds to sort of "soften" it just a little bit and then it would slip on easier...both from being wet and from being a little warm and tiny bit pliable. Have you tried doing that?

Also when I did the boil and bite fitting...I let it stay in my mouth a lot longer than was probably needed so that any "shrinkage" would be done while in my mouth. It did take a few tries to get it just right.
You've pretty much done everything I can think of.

[rsprods]

Thank you for the feedback. As far as leaving it in my mouth longer than the four minutes described in the instructions (2 min. sucking, 2 min. with mouth open) I've actually tried leaving it in my mouth for something like SEVEN HOURS! Believe it or not, it STILL shrunk up the next day to the point that I couldn't wear it. I think I've got another week or so of my 30 day trial so I'll keep at it. I sure hope I can get it to work.

[Pugsy]

I haven't done 7 hours
I also don't suck 2 minutes ...maybe a very gentle sucking action for a minute to just get it sort of molded. First time I did the fitting I sucked way to forcefully and too long and I couldn't even get the thing back on after fitting it once it cooled.

Try the warm water trick see if it helps..water has to be fairly warm depending on how long you run the water over it.
I have minimal patience..so it's usually 20 seconds with hot water.
Being wet and sort of pliable does make it go on easier.

[Kiralynx]

I learned to just position it and NOT suck. WAY too tight.

If it starts getting tightish, I'll go into the bathroom, run it under the hot water from the tap, and re-place it, pushing it back and forth a little to loosen it. Then I rinse in cool water and check to see how it fits.

[Rob1]

Similar design but a little different name, I have found that what previous posters suggest works really well, you just want it to be pliable enough to where it can conform to your mouth again, from there it should be much easier to keep it in your mouth throughout the night.

[SleepyToo2]

I agree with the warm water trick. I have to say that although some people didn't like it so much, the original design worked better for me. I "broke" the adjustable part on the new design after trying to fit a few times, but the original design I have been able to adjust correctly. I have now been using it for a year with minimal adjustments (new pillows). I need to get a new one soon, so I'll see how that goes ...

[rsprods]

Thanks for all the input. I tried it again last night and apart from the front of the mouth piece slipping down a little from my front teeth (due to a purposely loose fit) I didn't experience any pain or leaks. We'll see if it shrinks up between now and tonight. If it does, I'll try the warm water....

One thing I noticed this morning before removing the mask was a slight hissing sound - not a leak from the nasal pillows - just a slight hissing sound. I'm assuming it's coming from the exhalation port, although I don't recall hearing anything before. Are others hearing a faint hiss or is your mask completely silent? Also, does anyone out there use the optional head gear?

Finally, Seems the replacement pillows are quite expensive. Do people here on the forums ever trade/sell/swap pillows or other parts or even full masks? For example, I'd be happy to trade my large pillows for mediums, and if there's anyone who doesn't want their Tap Pap anymore, I'd consider buying it for spare parts. Just wondering.