Trying a FF mask - still have dry mouth

I just received a comfort full2 mask from cpap.com. It is the 1st ff mask I have used which did not leak. However, my mouth fills up with air and I have a dry mouth just as I did when I would mouth breathe with my activa nasal mask.

Is it normal to have your cheeks bellowing with a full face mask - or do I need to try yet another one? Or does this just come with "the territory"?

TIA!

Sleepyred

Dry mouth usually happens to me when I'm using my full-face mask,
and I get congested. However, the "blowfish" only attacks when I use
a nasal-only mask.

sleepyred wrote:I just received a comfort full2 mask from cpap.com. It is the 1st ff mask I have used which did not leak. However, my mouth fills up with air and I have a dry mouth just as I did when I would mouth breathe with my activa nasal mask.

Is it normal to have your cheeks bellowing with a full face mask - or do I need to try yet another one? Or does this just come with "the territory"?

TIA!

Sleepyred

Sleepyred,

I used to experience a very dry mouth when using the UMFF mask. I've been using the Hybrid mask and it has gotten much better. In my opinion, it is because I don't have my mouth open all the time because the chin flap of the Hybrid helps me keep my mouth closed as much as possible.

You need to perfect a method of keeping your mouth shut in the FF mask.
Even though full face masks are designed to be able to mouth-breathe, it still makes for a dry mouth.
I never really thought about the technique I use until recently when I was reading a thread about this subject. I hold my tongue up to the roof of my mouth and then sort of "pucker", like I'm sucking on a sucker or piece of candy or something like that......sucks in my cheeks and holds my tongue in place. I've also found that the shape of the Ultra Mirage FF also helps keep my mouth in that position.

Den

I hold my tongue up to the roof of my mouth and then sort of "pucker", like I'm sucking on a sucker or piece of candy or something like that

The Hybrid, even without the chin-flap, will "pucker" your mouth closed.
I only get the dry mouth if both sides get stopped up.

sleepyred,

You remind me of my case. I was getting puffy cheeks due to air leaking from my airway into my closed mouth. This was causing arousals hundreds of time each night.

Using a full face mask (Hybrid) I actually trained myself to breathe through my mouth in order to relieve the pressure in the mouth. I still breathe in and out through my nose but a smaller volume of air moves in and out of my mouth.

Yes, this does cause a dry mouth every night, but it is amazing what a human being can get used to when you have to. Biotene gel is some relief to the dry mouth but mostly I have just learned to grin and bear it thoughout the night. Upon arising I drink a lot of fluids in the morning so that there is no dry mouth for 16 hours a day.

rooster

drink lots-O-water so you are not dehydrated, use a special non-alcolhol mouthwash called BIOTENE. It is sold in the mouthwash section at grocery stores or Rite Aid, Longs, etc.

Stuff is expensive like $7 or $8 bucks a bottle, but you use very little of it so it lasts a long time and it actually tastes pretty good. You just squirt a little in your mouth and slosh it around.

It helps your saliva glands recover.

If you are a newbie cpap user that is pretty common. If using a nasal only mask it can be an indicator you may be mouth breathing. Use of BreatheRight strips even under your mask can help along with a nasal saline spray like SimplySaline.

I tried the Comfortfull II which my DME gave me free of charge as a sample. I wanted to have something to use for the times I was congested, and the Activa wouldn't work. I hated the CF II, mostly for the leaks, and if I tightened up just enough to stop the leaks, I got very sore gums and jaw muscles. (I'm on 14 cm pressure). I also had puffer-cheeks to beat the band. Next I tried a F&P 432, and have had at least a bit more success with it. I can get it tight enough so it doesn't leak, and since it goes below my jaw, I don't get sore gums. It also did not give me puffer-cheeks, since the straps are closer to my face.

So far so good, however I had strap marks on my face for several hours the next day. I made up some strap pads, just actually tubes of fleece material, and that stopped that problem.

So now we have only one other problem: SORE NOSE. I've tried everything from bandaids to moleskin to cotton with a limited amount of success. The biggest problem is that they didn't design in an adjustable forehead piece for the 432. This seems like a huge mistake to me. I've tried padding the forehead piece out away from my face, but that didn't really work.

So what's the bottom line? I love the Activa when my nose is clear, and have even started to breathe more through my nose instead of my mouth. Always hated tape, and chin straps don't work for me.

As for the 432, I'm getting closer. There's a sharp edge molded in the inside that sits right over the bridge of my nose. I'm going to try a piece of moleskin against that, with some cotton against my face tonight. incredible isn't it? You'd think you could get a mask out of the box that would work without all the tinkering.

Good luck with the dry mouth, I've had limited success curing that, but even with the FF mask, I still get somewhat dry. Best to nose breathe if you can do that at all. The common thread you'll see through all these posts is that not the same thing works for everyone, but the collective wisdom found on the forum can help you solve your problems.

Let us know how you make out...

You all have given me much to think about - but for you hybrid users (oldheadgear) haven't people said that if you have a narrow face, the hybrid leaks?

Still trying to find a FF mask,
Sleepyred

P.S. I have bought the insurance on the comfort full ff mask and have plenty of time to return. Would appreciate suggestions on which ff to exchange, if I decide to do so.

sleepyred wrote:Would appreciate suggestions on which ff to exchange, if I decide to do so.

The Ultra Mirage FF is my favorite. If sized right and properly adjusted, it works and feels very good. I tried the Comfortfull 2 last summer and it was NOT comfortable for me.

I guess the new Soyala Full Face mask is now available.....I'm curious to see how others rate it.

Not every mask works for every face.

Best wishes,

Den

sleepyred wrote:You all have given me much to think about - but for you hybrid users (oldheadgear) haven't people said that if you have a narrow face, the hybrid leaks?

Sleepyred,

The perception that Hybrid does not work for narrow, long faces was due to the old "only black" headgear that slipped causing the oral seal/nasal pillow seal to spring leaks. But the new premium grey headgear is great and seems to work for narrow, long faces as well.