Hi there,
Mouth puffing is ruining my therapy to the point where I sometimes can't sleep at all since getting my cheeks filled with air wakes me up immediately or prevents me from falling asleep.
I tried a full-face mask to no avail. In fact, using a FFM made me notice that I don't even open my mouth at all when mouth puffing, so the mask type, mouth taping and chin straps don't make any difference at all.
I could try reducing the pressure but honestly the current settings were proving very effective. In fact, I felt I was close to finding the perfect settings considering how well I was feeling when I managed to get good sleep.
I'm aware of tongue repositioning training where you stick your tongue against your palate and use suction to keep it in place. I'll try that. However, since this takes time, I need a more immediate solution. Would a Tongue Stabilizing Device do the trick? It wouldn't keep my tongue up against my palate but pulled forward. Do you think that should still prevent air from filling up my cheeks? Has anyone tried this?
Tongue Stabilizing Device (TSD) for Mouth Puffing?
- vandownbytheriver
- Posts: 407
- Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2024 11:42 pm
Re: Tongue Stabilizing Device (TSD) for Mouth Puffing?
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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion) |
Additional Comments: I use O2Ring, Oscar, SleepHQ, and Cover Roll Stretch mouth tape. |
Re: Tongue Stabilizing Device (TSD) for Mouth Puffing?
In conjunction with training your tongue to achieve a suction seal on the roof of your mouth, if you are able to side sleep, sleep on the edge of your pillow. Usually that causes it compress a bit and the front of your face will tilt slightly downward. This allows gravity to work for you in keeping your tongue forward. I've not used the tongue device. Would think it could keep your tongue out of the airway but wonder if it would interfere with getting a seal, which is needed for your issue of air in the mouth. Good luck with things.
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Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Bleep/DreamPort for full nights, Tap Pap for shorter sessions |
My SleepDancing Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE7WA_5c73c
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- Posts: 20
- Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2024 9:02 pm
Re: Tongue Stabilizing Device (TSD) for Mouth Puffing?
I tried a quick test with the TSD I have and FFM. It doesn't seem super great -- either you have a proper seal with your mouth+TSD like you're supposed to, in which case your cheeks can still puff, or you don't have a proper seal in which case air can escape through your mouth. The latter is fine if you have FFM, but I found that my tongue pushes against the mask, and is just not very comfortable in general.
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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: Evora Full Face Mask |