How many use a chinstrap?

raylo · Post by **raylo** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:33 am

DreamStalker wrote:Although I did try a chinstrap very early on in my CPAP experience, I never really needed one cuz I trained myself not to mouth leak.

Where I have found a chinstrap useful was when I have trialed a FF type mask (ie. Liberty) ... but I almost never use that mask as it is my backup for sinus congestion. I have not had any significant sinus congestion requiring the use of a FF mask since starting my treatment ... go figure. A chinstrap does help keep the jaw stable so that one can maintain a good FF mask seal around the mouth area ... but as for preventing mouth leaks when using a nasal type mask, the air will just leak out between my teeth and flap my lips. I know cuz I tried it when raising the pressure high enough (13+ cm) that even my soft palate training cannot maintain the seal and air goes rushing out my mouth no matter how tight I have the chinstrap on. Fortunately, my pressure requirements for effectively treating my OSA is low enough at 12 cm that my soft palate is able to maintain a seal throughout most the night while asleep and mouth leaks are kept low and steady enough to give me a consistant AHI average of less than 0.5 almost every night.

Anyway, had you had a selection for no use for mouth leak aids, I would have voted for that one ... but since no option for that was available, I didn't vote.

I guess I was using "never had one" as the option for no mouth leak aids. A bit of lazy construction of the poll on my part, but I'm not after or expecting any scientific validity to the poll. Thanks for your comment, and thanks to all who have commented or voted.

nobody · Post by **nobody** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:26 am

I tried a chin strap but it didn't work. Apparently air can still flow out my mouth even with my teeth together.

cookieface4750 · Post by **cookieface4750** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:09 pm

I use the Super Deluxe Chin Strap from Amazon.Com. I angle it so it just touches the corners of my mouth and just under my bottom lip. Works like a charm and I can talk.

thewetlizard · Post by **thewetlizard** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:53 pm

I must be one of the few who don't use a chinstrap

AirBreather · Post by **AirBreather** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:53 pm

thewetlizard wrote:I must be one of the few who don't use a chinstrap

You might need a chin strap and not realize it. I used CPAP for years without realizing that I was leaking air through my mouth sometimes during the night. After I installed ResScan software I could see that my leak rate was normally zero, but that it would become high various times during most nights. It was obvious that my mask was either being pushed off my face or I was leaking air through my mouth. I started using a chin strap and my leak rate now stays at or near zero and my Apnea Index (AI) has dropped from 0.3 most nights to zero most nights.

Bearcat42 · Post by **Bearcat42** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:33 pm

I use mine in conjunction with my Papcap every night and I wouldnt trade it for anything.

Ms.Snuffleupagus · Post by **Ms.Snuffleupagus** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:46 pm

Anyone use "chin-up strips" instead of a chin strap?

AirBreather · Post by **AirBreather** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:35 am

Ms.Snuffleupagus wrote:Anyone use "chin-up strips" instead of a chin strap?

I have a beard, so "Chin-up Strips" wouldn't work for me. However, even without that issue, the "Halo Chin Strap" that I use is so comfortable, effective and easy-to-use that I can't imagine trading it for tape-on strips.

tattooyu · Post by **tattooyu** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 6:38 pm

Pur-Sleep PAPCap Plus, every night. Zero (or near-zero) leaks.

SleepyT · Post by **SleepyT** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:41 pm

tattooyu wrote:Pur-Sleep PAPCap Plus, every night. Zero (or near-zero) leaks.

Ditto that! The PapCap chin strap functions well for me to stop the mouth leaks...but maybe more importantly...it holds my jaw in place so it can't slide back and close off my airway. I find that has been KEY in my therapy. In other words...I could just tape my mouth shut and cure the mouth breathing...but I think my AHI would be awful because my jaw would relax without the chin strap...and I would still be in trouble.

Can't say enough good things about the PapCap....

beckah · Post by **beckah** » Wed May 04, 2011 7:25 pm

I voted 'sometimes".
I bought a Pap Cap to use with nasal pillows. I love the pillows because they are so minimal on my face. Unfortunately, I can't keep my mouth closed. The Pap Cap works wonderfully to keep my jaw from dropping, but it is too long and almost covers my eyes. I tend to "blow through" the tape too. I don't mouth breath when I'm awake, but I sure do when I sleep.
I gave up and use a FF mask now.....just too much stuff to deal with. Now if I could just find that "perfect" FF mask, I would be one happy person.
I have to say that the Pap Cap really lowered my leak rate and my AHI when I could keep a good seal with tape.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Thu May 05, 2011 10:59 am

I selected 'never had one' since there wasn't a choice of 'had one but no longer need one'.

I learned to keep my mouth closed at night by learning to breath through my nose during the day and then at night.

deerslayer · Post by **deerslayer** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:16 pm

tried to do without chinstrap for a year or so but started to lip flutter and get the dry mouth bigtime.
tape nor polident strips no worky.
so back now on the CS for a couple months and seems to do the trick. leak between25-30 range .

Ozze_dollar · Post by **Ozze_dollar** » Fri May 06, 2011 10:02 pm

Roll up a small towel and hold at each end with thick elastic bands. Tuch under your chin each night. not perfect but helps.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat May 07, 2011 5:40 am

I use tape over my mouth AND a chin strap. Takes all that to prevent mouthbreathing for me. Yeah, I could forego it all and use a Full Face mask, but I've never found a FF mask that was as comfortable and let me sleep as well as nasal pillows masks do. The tape and chinstrap are a minor inconvenience compared to the major inconvenience FF masks have been for me. Chinstrap alone can't stop my mouthbreathing either, and I've tried many different ones including PAPcap and the "Ultimate."

How many use a chinstrap?

How many use a chin strap?

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Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: straight cpap 12.20 AHI avg.0.79