open mouth problem

[mhundle]

Going on 4 weeks now as a newbie hosehead. All things considered - not too bad. I find that my mouth seems to come open and air is blowing out, but not snoring. Mouth gets really dry. Not all the time, but often. (Most of this info is from my wife - though not the dry mouth part!). I'd like some input on chin straps or ??? I read in a recent post a comment about people using some sort of tape on their mouth. What's up with that. Any input would be appreciated.

[bdp522]

Chin straps may help. I find that I get flapper lips if I use a chin strap. Air still gets out. I tape my mouth shut every night. Lot's of us do. I use Kendalls Tenderskin Paper tape, it's the only one that leaves my skin behind when I pull the tape off in the morning. I use Roosters instructions for taping. The other option is a full face mask. Just click on the link for Roosters instructions.

viewtopic.php?t=9653&start=0

Brenda

[TerryB]

Using a search to look at posts on "mouth Leakage" should find more than you want to look at but basicly:

Mouth leakage means that the machine is not treating you at all, there is no pressure in your airways because of the leak being too high for any machine to keep up.

You may have success by putting any one of several elastic band devices from your chin up on to the top of your head to keep your mouth closed.

Then there is the probability that your lips will still flap open and leak, probably again too much,

The lips may be taped over, but facial hair and tape injury to the skin may make this a tough way to go,

I use small adhesive strips made by Polident. It is used by other people to hold dentures tight. I use two small pieces spaced across the width of my lips to hold them together.

There is a Polident paste but it is a bit messy to use and clean up.

Good Luck,

TerryB'

[snoregirl]

I use 3m micropore (nextcare) and it seems to leave my skin ok if I put chapstick on when I take it off and take it off gently.

[linda b]

I'll put in a ditto for the Poligrip Strips. They work great for me, no irritation to the lips and you can pop open your mouth if you really need to. Application and cleanup is easy. Takes one strip, cut into two pieces, per night. A box of 40 costs about $4.50 at Wal-Mart.

[GeneS]

There are a number of ways to seal your mouth. Taping is a good one. Try different methods until you are successful. It is important to to do it because cpap does not work properly when you breath in or out of your mouth so you are probably not getting the treatment you need.
GeneS

[Oh_2get_some_sleep]

Also a newbie. I wear a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.... but now y'all got me wondering if my lips are a flappin.... I have software, so i can look at my data.... what data will I look at to tell if I have a mouth leak? My data shows 0.0 for average large leaks......

[bdp522]

Just look at your leaks. If they are higher than your masks intentional leak rate, you have a leak.

Brenda