Finally found my perfect tape alternative for mouth leaks...

[FlyingMoose]

This community has helped me a lot, and I want to give something back.

### WARNING ### I have made safety improvements to this device. Please see page 2 at the following link before making or using: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=107674&start=15#p1027467

Edited to add: Note that I am posting something that has worked for me. Some people in the thread have concerns about the safety of using this device, specifically that it may be a choking hazard. If you use it, you do so at your own risk.

I've had some people asking about my experiments with football mouth guards. Actually I've been experimenting and have come up with something better. I've only tried a few nights but it's worked very well so far.

I got some 1/8" closed-cell foam wrap from work. It's packing foam similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Feet-Wrapping-Per ... B00AMSMMMY

Here is the roll:



The first thing to note is that it has a grain direction. If you tear it with the grain (along the length of the roll) it tears nice and straight. It is harder to bend in this direction.



If you try to tear it against the grain it is difficult:



I cut it into a piece about 6" long and 1 1/2" wide, with the grain running in the short dimention:



I round over the ends:



Here are some finished ones:





This shows how the grain should go:



This shows where it will go (except it will go inside my mouth)



Like this:





I put something on the outside to keep my cheeks from inflating and the foam from just blowing out.
Note that I intend to get some fabric and/or ribbon, this is just my temporary solution made of tape and a nylon luggage strap.
The tape irritates my lips. I'll post more pictures when I come up with something better.



Note that I can still easily breath through my mouth if I open it:




The strap on the outside is very loose. I can slide it down so it's hanging around my neck and then back into place.







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If you try this, please post your experiences and any improvements you come up with.
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[Sir NoddinOff]

I've never tried anything like that, but it's good people are experimenting. Let us know how it works out for the long term.

[Julie]

And if some way, some how overnight the thing works its way into your throat (things can get slippery in there) below a level you can just pull it out, you may just die from choking or lack of air. Good one.

[FlyingMoose]

And if some way, some how overnight the thing works its way into your throat (things can get slippery in there) below a level you can just pull it out, you may just die from choking or lack of air. Good one.

That is a good point. From my experience it doesn't seem likely, but I will work on a way to attach it to the outside part of the contraption.

[teachcsg]

Thank you for the detailed explanation and the pictures. Really helps to visualize it. Not sure if I can recommend to a patient but I can point them to your post.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[Jay Aitchsee]

I have thought about something similar, but never tried it. My thoughts were to use a food grade material like the plastic from a milk jug. I share Julie's concern about the foam wrap being a choking hazard if deformed. A stiffer material that could be molded to the shape of the dental arch might lessen the choking possibility. I think milk jug plastic might be too thin, producing sharp edges and I'm not sure if it could be molded to shape (but it probably could).
But I like your idea and prototype and I'm looking forward to seeing the refinements. Nice Pics.

[FlyingMoose]

I have thought about something similar, but never tried it. My thoughts were to use a food grade material like the plastic from a milk jug. I share Julie's concern about the foam wrap being a choking hazard if deformed. A stiffer material that could be molded to the shape of the dental arch might lessen the choking possibility. I think milk jug plastic might be too thin, producing sharp edges and I'm not sure if it could be molded to shape (but it probably could).
But I like your idea and prototype and I'm looking forward to seeing the refinements. Nice Pics.

The 1/8" foam is actually pretty stiff, especially trying to bend it against the grain, but if you want it more so you could try the 1/4" (I don't have any of that). I tried 1/16" and it is too soft.

I have been trying to think of other materials and haven't come up with anything better. I tried multiple layers of cling wrap stuck together but when it bends it kinks into sharp corners.

[AutoBiPAPFrank]

I have used a folded bandanna before under my chin strap but I don't think I am up to putting something inside my mouth.

[bryansong]

Gee, I don't know about that one. That doesn't look too safe.

[chunkyfrog]

Personally, I would attach some kind of tether to prevent it from being aspirated (inhaled).
I prefer Poli-Grip strips. When I cut one in half and apply between my lips with the gap in the center,
I can still breathe through my mouth, cough, and even sneeze without disaster.

[FlyingMoose]

I have added a note to my original post about the safety concerns discussed in this thread.

[Julie]

I also wonder what chemicals might leach out of the plastic during a whole night, never mind many nights.

[LSAT]

Seems like a full face mask would be lots easier and safer. (What happens if the power goes out?)

[JDS74]

That looks like a good solution that can use a little tweaking.
What you have is similar to the inner flap of an Oracle 2 cpap mask. The inner flap does the sealing as in your solution.
Here is a view of the inner and outer parts assembled. The outer parts have the clips attached to the ends.

Note that the shape of the inner flap dips in the middle to accommodate the anatomy inside the lips. That might help to make your design more comfortable.

Here is a side view with Oracle's head gear attached.

If you design a way to attach the outer part of your design to the inner part with a narrow connection, then the inner piece of foam will be supported and risk of aspiration is eliminated.

One other thing you might try is to use a soft cervical collar to keep the jaw up after the facial muscles relax with sleep. With that in place, you will still be able to open your mouth to breathe in case of power failure.

[FlyingMoose]

One other thing you might try is to use a soft cervical collar to keep the jaw up after the facial muscles relax with sleep. With that in place, you will still be able to open your mouth to breathe in case of power failure.

Even with my teeth touching, the air still leaks out around the sides. No one seems to believe me, but it's true.