if I could just keep my mouth shut

Check your numbers. When I think I am mouth breathing a lot it turns out to be 1-2% leaks in Sleepyhead.

That's not worth worrying about if your AHI is 0-3 or so.

Also try nasal rinsing in the morning (not just before bed) and try less humidity as well as more.

Good luck.

GettingBetter wrote:...
3.) A search on the subject here revealed that someone used denture cream to keep their mouth shut. I bought a sample/trial size. Used once. Do not recommend....

Not "cream", but Polygrip "Strips". I cut the strips into 3 pieces, lengthways. I bend 1 1/2 strips into a curve and apply to my lips (provides an effective dam to keep slobber off my tape). The trick is to properly position the strip so it doesn't get too wet from saliva. Too wet and it turns to a mess. I first tried an uncut strip and woke with it stuck on my teeth. Ugh. Good luck.

yes, I agree with the last post. Taping your mouth is really more about teaching your brain to stay aware of what is going on with your mouth and try to remember to keep the mouth shut, than about physically keeping your mouth shut. That is why I said that I use smaller and smaller pieces of tape.

MW, you might take a look at RespCARE Hybrid FFM. It's a combination nasal pillows/mouth seal, with a considerably smaller mouth area to seal.
Also, by design, you won't need to use a chin strap with it.
Cheers,
otrpu

I'd appreciate any advice on my problem.

I can breathe through my nose when I'm awake, but it seems as soon as I start to doze off my jaw drops and I start breathing through my mouth. I'm happy to tape my mouth but I get pressure on my top teeth when my jaw drops, making them feel sore in the morning. I'm especially wary of two crowns I have right at the front. Has anyone had a similar problem and devised a way to tape the mouth that avoids the pressure?

Try a soft cervical collar - it''ll keep your jaw up, if not keep your lips sealed.

starbuck wrote:I am a big fan of FFM. I find them more comfortable and my AHI is always better with the FFM than the nasal pillows.

+1

I have said it before, if my mouth magically quit leaking while using CPAP, I would still use my FFM. It's very stable and leak free even when I move around in bed a lot.

Julie wrote:Try a soft cervical collar - it''ll keep your jaw up, if not keep your lips sealed.

+1

This is the thing that work for me ( I have a 4 in. collar) ... without it my AHI goes up. So for me it keeps my head up and throat open to prevent apnea.
Even when I use a FF mask I need the collar to prevent apnea.