Do full face masks really prevent mouth leaks?

John 32 · Post by **John 32** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:34 pm

Hi.

I'm a mouth leaker, using a Mirage Activa (nasal mask). Air leaks through my lips had stopped for a while, but they came back bad, specially when I sleep on my back or stomach (while asleep). I wake up because of this feeling not rested.

So, I'm about to by either a hybrid or a full face, but because I've read so much input on each one of these two masks, I just don't know which one to buy.

So, mouth leakers, NOT BREATHERS, could you please give your inputs on wether you've solved this problem or not with the full face masks and which one?

Does the problem still continue? Is the solution to lower air preassure? C-Flex? Taping mouth shut is defenetively not working for me.

Thanks.

darthlucy · Post by **darthlucy** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:42 pm

I ADORE my Activa, but I've been having mouth breathing/leaking issues. Taping worked for me, but it isn't the most comfortable thing in the world. I bought a Ultra Mirage FF mask that I got today, so I'll report back on how it worked and how it compares to the Activa. Haven't slept yet, but on first try-on session, the seal is not as easy to maintain as the Activa.

The solution is definitely not lowering your pressure. Although I think leaks happen more at higher pressures, a lower pressure may very well not be effective enough to treat your OSA. C-Flex makes exhaling easier, but I don't think it would have a significant effect on mouth leaking. Have you tried a chin strap? The Respironics Premium (not Deluxe) is the one I'm going to try if the UMFF doesn't work out for me.

wearyguy · Post by **wearyguy** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:06 pm

They do work at least for me. UMMV

I am a mouth leaker when I go into deep sleep, only then but that is what keeps me from feeling rested in the morning. I tried the UMFF but it rubbed the bridge of my nose raw so I went back to my Swift II with chinstrap as tight as I could get it. My wife told me next morning I sounded like rushing rapids. So I order the Liberty. At first I could not sleep with the Liberty. My skin is very oily and the pads would slip just enough out of my nostrils to cause the seal to break and I would wake up

I liked the mask so I tried to figure out a way to make it work. Last night I used a rubber band as a bridge to keep the nose pieces in place and it worked. I am not sure about how the Hybrid works in this case but people seem to have good luck with that mask.

Since I have been diagnosed with OSA I have consistently trained myself to breath through my nose. I used to be a mouth breather. There is nothing you can do about it though when you sleep since your jaw muscles go slack.

I spoke to my sleep doc about it at he has a dentist friend who does OSA too. My sleep doc now wears a dental appliance and it works for him. He told me it may work for people who have setback chin/jaw which I do not. I asked him to talk to his dentist friend about a mouthpiece for top teeth only that would hold tongue up against roof of mouth. In this position you can not breath out of your mouth but would break seal if you needed to breath. He is going to get back to me on it. Said it sounded like an interesting solution.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): swift, seal

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:07 pm

Speaking for myself, I long ago gave up the battle for trying to use nasal prongs/pillows. Have a nose that gets easily congested.

I use a UMFF and I breathe whatever way is most comfortable & don't worry about it any more. I still do try to nose breath (am on Nasonex spray daily). But about 30% of nights I will mouth breathe at some time & am use to it.

Am getting excellent results.

Good luck to you re this issue as it is a worrying and troublesome one.

DSM

andyomega · Post by **andyomega** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:12 pm

well look at it this way, if your mouth leaks, its not really leaking because the pressure is the same outside your mouth.
It works for me !
I am a mouth breather at times, when my sinuses permit I prefer to sleep with my mouth closed because mouth breathing does dry it out.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:18 pm

Strange thing. I tried my old Comfort Gel nasal mask for a few nights and my mouth leaks have apparently stopped.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:41 pm

I tried taping and hated it.

I've had good results with a Tiara Ruby chinstrap, and Soyala nasal mask, but it (chinstrap) made me sweat too much.

I've tried quite a few full face masks, but the best for me were the Soyala FF, Ultra Mirage FF, and the Hybrid.(in that order)

Once I got the correct size for the Soyala FF, I've been a faithful user of it.
It's the most comfortable.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:11 pm

andyomega wrote:well look at it this way, if your mouth leaks, its not really leaking because the pressure is the same outside your mouth.

Andy's right. If you're wearing a Full Face mask to let you get treatment air through nose AND mouth, it doesn't matter if you have mouth air leaks. They are contained within the mask, so you're still getting your treatment pressure. Provided the mask itself doesn't leak.

tillymarigold · Post by **tillymarigold** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:18 pm

I have the Hybrid.

Dunno if I still have mouth leaks, I mean, I wouldn't know, would I? Since I don't lose pressure that way. I do feel like it holds my mouth closed more securely than taping, though.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:22 pm

I started out with nasal pillows and was a mouth leaker. So I taped for six months and that took care of the problem but I did have the inconvenience of taping.

When the Hybrid was introduced, I obtained one right away. It really works well for me. I have been using it for nearly one year.

I have traditional full face masks also. With these and with the Hybrid, I found out that I am a mouth breather. I get very dry mouth but have just accepted that dry mouth (or taping) is something I have to tolerate to get good therapy.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Nasal Pillows

S-Dubya · Post by **S-Dubya** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:04 am

I desperately wanted to go to the smaller profile of a nasal mask or pillows. First I tried the Swift and not only did I get mouth leaks, but all the air rushing up my nose and out my mouth would really irritate my sinuses. I tried a chin strap and it kept my chin up, but my lips would still blow open. My wife said I made horse noises. I then tried the Activa and fell it love with its comfort. Alas, I had the same problems that I had with the Swift. I tried taping along with the chin strap and not only did I not like the feel of having my mouth sealed shut, but all the advantages of a smaller interface were negated by the tape and chin strap.

So I bought a Hybrid and I am living happily ever after.

Bert_Mathews · Post by **Bert_Mathews** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:09 pm

John 32 wrote:Hi.

I'm a mouth leaker, using a Mirage Activa (nasal mask). Air leaks through my lips had stopped for a while, but they came back bad, specially when I sleep on my back or stomach (while asleep). I wake up because of this feeling not rested.

So, I'm about to by either a hybrid or a full face, but because I've read so much input on each one of these two masks, I just don't know which one to buy.

So, mouth leakers, NOT BREATHERS, could you please give your inputs on wether you've solved this problem or not with the full face masks and which one?

Does the problem still continue? Is the solution to lower air preassure? C-Flex? Taping mouth shut is defenetively not working for me.

Thanks.

JOHN "They work"
I'm interested in a TRADE?????? & think its the best way for everybody involved.
should note -- nonsmoker & No pets
I can ship first so you will have a mask and trade even up!

I have two Full face mask {LARGE} setting in the closet all used LESS than two weeks and have been autoclaved & vacuum sealed..
here are the two large Respironics: {link shows them both?}
https://www.cpap.com/advanced-find-cpap ... espironics

ALSO NOTE:
Here are a couple other masks I have FOR TRADE / RE-Trade Items
mirage activa mask
Headgear a little frayed but generally good shape w/ carrying bag
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... allow.html

Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow System (Original)
Seal Ring (3 pack) cheek cushine included & carrying bag
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... ystem.html

Willing to trade for any large nasal masks --- PM to setup a DEAL.....
--- I'm using a ComfortLite 2 and happy so far but always looking for better or different??
:Shocked:
Bert Mathews

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:45 pm

I think that if a FF mask is not leaking, you can't really have "mouth leaks": your mouth is under pressure like your nose. I use FF masks because I don't like anything in my nose, and I don't like taping, Polident, or chin straps, all of which I've used.

I have in active rotation a Quattro, CF2, UMFF, and HC432. I am not sure right now which is my favorite: I have been leaning towards the Quattro, but I tried the UMFF out for the first time in a while two nights ago (while my Quattro was being replaced) and got a 0.0 AHI!. I tried the HC432 for the first time in a long while three nights ago and got a 0.2! That's better than my six month average 0.6 AHI.

I wonder sometimes if just letting each mask "rest" a night or two helps, or is some do better for me on a given week, or whether this is all artifact. In any event, rotating them gives them plenty of time to dry after I wash them, and also I can do mask washing every three days or so, rather than every day.

Do full face masks really prevent mouth leaks?

Do full face masks really prevent mouth leaks?

Re: Do full face masks really prevent mouth leaks?

Re: Do full face masks really prevent mouth leaks?

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