New User / Tooth Pain

[Chris2009]

Hello and Happy Holidays

I was recently diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea and just recently got set up with my CPAP machine and mask (ComfortGel full face mask). I'm 4 days into the beginning of therapy and I'm struggling with pain on the bridge of my nose (common from what I've been told) and severe toothaches. I've been putting bandaids on the red spot on my nose but I've been having aches in two of my lower teeth (presumably from mask pressure). They're bad enough that I have to discontinue therapy after 3 or 4 hours because the pain prevents me from sleeping. Is tooth pain a common part of the adjustment process? It almost seems that the mask is too tight - but if I leave it loose and comfortable it leaks all over

I do have the option of trying the Respironics FullLife Full mask (this is what my Sleep Doctor originally perscribed) as the DME company substituted the ComfortGel because they were out of stock on the FullLife Full. I remember having some tooth pain when I was trying this mask at the hospital - but I think it was less than that I'm feeling now.

Any thoughts as to which mask seems better for most people? Are tooth aches normal? They do go away for the most part after a few hours. Last night it was throbbing.

Thanks so much for your help
Chris

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, Chris2009! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. I had a bit of tooth pain when using a nasal mask, so I switched to a full face mask--and getting that mask tension is so crucial. Generally, one errs by over tightening, and looser is better for seal and comfort, but you just have to get all of the adjustment points just right. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[silver123]

You might want to check in with your doc. Tooth pain can be a symptom of pressure, blockage in the sinuses or a sinuns infection. You might wnat to check in with your doc or local clinic.

and welcome....

silver

[JohnBFisher]

... I've been putting bandaids on the red spot on my nose ...

Glad that helps. You'll find your face will adjust. It's not really any different than how our faces adjust if we wear glasses. I've a mask of some sort for so long I forgot those issues. But it's pretty common.

... but I've been having aches in two of my lower teeth (presumably from mask pressure). They're bad enough that I have to discontinue therapy after 3 or 4 hours because the pain prevents me from sleeping. Is tooth pain a common part of the adjustment process? It almost seems that the mask is too tight - but if I leave it loose and comfortable it leaks all over ...

Not - to my knowledge - it's not a common issue. I see it is a full face mask. Is the tooth pain on the top teeth or bottom teeth. I guess it is on the bottom teeth. I suspect a couple things might be happening (and possibly in conjunction). If you have some gum disease, the pressure of the mask might be pressing - very uncomfortably - against your gums and teeth. You may need to see a dentist if this is the case. If there is no gum disease there, you might be pressing back against the pressure of the full face mask. I find that it tends to make my lower jaw drop down a bit.

... I do have the option of trying the Respironics FullLife Full mask (this is what my Sleep Doctor originally perscribed) as the DME company substituted the ComfortGel because they were out of stock on the FullLife Full. I remember having some tooth pain when I was trying this mask at the hospital - but I think it was less than that I'm feeling now. ...

I would possibly try the FullLife Full Mask. I use the Quattro, which appears to be similar construction. I also have (as a spare) a ComfortGel mask. It is pretty massive / heavy and definitely presses harder against the face. You might want to try another with a double cushion design (such as the FullLife). Alternatively, you might want to try something like the Hybrid. It might press more evenly against the mouth, while still providing the nasal support. It uses nasal pillows, but it may well better meet your needs.

Hope you get this worked out. Pain in the teeth can be unbearable.

[Y REM]

I agree that any pain should be evaluated by your physician and or dentist. One possibility is that the weight/ pressure of the mask is aggravating the problem. This seems more common with the gel type masks which are worn tight. Before switching to a full face mask, which can have their own issues, try an Activa line mask from ResMed. The activa's are meant to be worn looser and put less pressure on your upper lip.

[Chris2009]

Yes it's on two of my bottom teeth. I just had a dental exam and cleaning a few months ago with no issues. I would hope my dentist would have seen a problem.

[jmelby]

Do you think the tooth pain is possibly caused by your jaw being held forward and pushing your bottom teeth against your top ones? This just happened to me last night with the ComfortGel full face mask... I think it was due to the lower straps being too tight. But, like you say, I had to put them that tight to get a good seal... I may try loosening just a little bit, but the tooth pain wasn't that bad for me.

Another thought... I see you are using a passover humidifier--have you considered a heated one? I wonder if the tooth pain is from the cold room air?

Regarding the FullLife mask... if you can get it to work for you, great... but I could not get it to work without really excessive leaking, and reading other posts about it, this seems to be common. I found that the ComfortGel FFM is a much better mask for me. I normally use a nasal mask now, but have use the full face occasionally when congested.

[GumbyCT]

1st contact your DME to let them know you are having trouble -if you are within 30 days use with this mask - you may be entitled to a free replacement that all mask makers offer.

Pain should not be part of this therapy. Pain is a deterrent and your bodys way of letting you know something is wrong. Maybe overtightened or the wrong size. Some masks come complete with all the sizes to try. If so try another.

Yes it's on two of my bottom teeth. I just had a dental exam and cleaning a few months ago with no issues. I would hope my dentist would have seen a problem.

Lots of tips and tricks on here for sooo many different mask. Try searching and reading then reading some more.

Faces are like fingerprints and one mask will never fit ALL.

Good Luck

[Chris2009]

Do you think the tooth pain is possibly caused by your jaw being held forward and pushing your bottom teeth against your top ones? This just happened to me last night with the ComfortGel full face mask... I think it was due to the lower straps being too tight. But, like you say, I had to put them that tight to get a good seal... I may try loosening just a little bit, but the tooth pain wasn't that bad for me.

Another thought... I see you are using a passover humidifier--have you considered a heated one? I wonder if the tooth pain is from the cold room air?

Regarding the FullLife mask... if you can get it to work for you, great... but I could not get it to work without really excessive leaking, and reading other posts about it, this seems to be common. I found that the ComfortGel FFM is a much better mask for me. I normally use a nasal mask now, but have use the full face occasionally when congested.

It kinda feels like two of my bottom teeth are being pushed in a bit. I'll try to pay attention to see my jaw position. As far as the CPAP machine goes, it's definitely heated and humidified. I must have picked the wrong choice when I was setting up my profile. Regarding the leakiness of the FullLife, I definitely noticed leakiness when I went for the second part of my sleep study at the sleep lab and that was the mask I chose (but again that was far from ideal circumstances, especially with wires everywhere). I had made comments to her about the FullLife mask not reviewing favorably online and she got very snippy with me and said that I'd have to go through "HER" to make any changes. She also commented that they only deal with Respironics.