Keeping Mouth Shut When Asleep

Does anyone know of some type mouth piece I can buy that will rest my jaw muscles at night? In order to try to keep my mouth shut, I am clenching my teeth and now my jaws are sore. I have tried a chin strap, doesn't work, (husband says head too pointy), I am using a tennis headband now with some success but still have to clench teeth to try to keep mouth shut. I am on pressure of 18 and it just blows my mouth open. I know some people use tape but I just can't imagine doing that, am very claustrophobic. Went to dentist yesterday and she made some full impressions and is going to try to "invent" something. I can see the $$ signs now. Anyway I welcome all suggestions.



Gilda, waiting with mouth wide open for Liam's response.

I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for a good comeback, so I hope you aren't waiting too expectantly.

Things in the other thread (with my name on it, no less) have gone from friendly to seriously contentious, and I REALLY preferred the friendly cpaptalk.com.

Liam, not even able to think of a snappy one-liner sign off.

Have you considered a full face mask? I use one and it works well at keeping my mouth shut.......at least when I'm sleeping! *g* Just ask my wife!

Just get a proven Herbst Device from
http://www.greatlakesortho.com/products.php

Should be around $400

I am often accused of not being able to keep my mouth shut, but it is while awake, not on cpap.

This problem of mine probably needs to be on some other forum. Not sure PAP could help here.

Just a thought.

Sore jaw...ouch, been there, done that. Before I knew I had OSA, I was grinding my teech & dentist made me a "nightguard," similar to the sports mouthpieces you can buy and mold with hot water, except this was better. But doesn't keep my mouth shut. Air will leak thru your lips even with a device, but I used a TAPS - Thornton Adjustable Positioner and it has help me learn to keep mouth closed while sleeping. Cost about 400.00, you need to find a dentist who knows about them. Google TAPS dental device or something and they have a website with a referral list I think. It's a custom fitted plastic mouthguard, the top piece has a hook that slips over a bar in the bottom piece. Sounds weird, but it really helped me. I'm trying to get the insurance to cover the cost, if a dr. prescribes it for apnea it might fly.
I used cold cans of pop to lay against my sore jaw muscles when I didn't have an ice pack handy.
sleep on,
tk

mommaw, adhesive tape over the mouth is what I use to stop the lip air-puff air leaks that no amount of "closed jaws" or even clenched teeth will prevent. Simple, inexpensive and effective - and yes, some would consider taping dangerous. I do it anyway - with the end of each piece turned down on itself to make grab-tabs.

You might want to check out some posts by a lady nicknamed "frequenseeker" on the TAS (talkaboutsleep.org) "snoring and apnea" message board. She has come up with a way to form two athletic mouthguards into an inexpensive mouthpiece that might help the tongue stay back in a sealing position to prevent air leaks for some people, yet allow the mouth to remain relaxed open. She has written a very detailed description of her "Do It Yourself" device, and has posted pictures of how to make it. The tiny word "search" is hard to find at that site, but if you can find it, search for keywords "lip puffs" "mouth air leak" "mouthguard" etc.

tk, that particular site (TAS) also has a number of people who have been posting extensively about their experiences with various kinds of surgery, dental devices, etc. At the bottom of their snoring/apnea message board there is "Hop to" box like the "Jump to" box on this message board. Check out their "Dental Sleep Medicine" board. Many TAP users are posting there, as well as several who have had the Pillar Procedure (the inserts to stiffen the palate.)

Incidentally, tk, also do a search on that snoring/apnea site for "UPPP" to get a better idea of whether you want any carving done to your soft palate...I think you'll decide to NOT have that particular type of surgery included even if you go with other surgical corrections to your problem. UPPP doesn't seem to have a very good longterm "success" rate and in some cases can make future use of any type of cpap less effective. I'm not a doctor, but UPPP would be one surgery I'd personally rule out, no matter what.

tk Search also for posts on the TAS site about "MMA" (maxillomandibular advancement) by a person nicknamed: <SeattleBill> who has recently had MMA surgery. He seems very knowledgeable, works in the health care field himself, and did a great deal of research about this particular procedure and which surgeon to go to for best chance of a good outcome, before he had something that radical (and usually effective) done.

Thanks rested gal,
I've been reading a lot about the surgeries and they don't sound that great as far as helping. I'll check the sites you mentioned.
tk

I found that the F&P HC431 helped me alot.

Check out the video at cpap.com.
https://www.cpap.com/downloadVideo.php?VGID=17

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will check the web sites and maybe even try the tape. Have got to do something.








Mommaw,
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