Full Face Masks and Dry Mouth

CPAP Senior · Post by **CPAP Senior** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:18 pm

I've had to wear a chin strap with my Activa because my mouth drops open and air escapes dryng out my throat and mouth. Would wearing a full face mask like the Ultra Mirage full face mask eliminate this problem. I'm due for a change in masks so I would be interested in your opinion. Do you prefer one full face mask over any other? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:24 pm

Do you use a heated humidifier?

A FFM would eliminate the need for a chinstrap.

Some love the Ultra Mirage FFM.
Some love the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC431 FFM.
Some love the Hans Rudolph FFM.

It depends on the shape of your face, nose, head, cheeks, etc. as to which one will suit you best.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:24 pm

I had this same problem. My mouth didn't drop open all the time but when it did I would wake up with a bone dry mouth and tongue. I haven't had this problem since going on to a FF mask.
Ken

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:21 pm

Senior,

I'm one of those who has had good success with the mask you named (shown below). Assuming that the mask fits you properly, I would think the FF would keep your mouth and throat from getting dry. (Also may depend on what kind of humidification you use, too.)
I've never used any other kind of mask, so I can't give a comparison. Some (like me) swear by this mask and some swear AT it. All I know is that it works for me.

Best wishes,

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:39 pm

Like Den (Wulfman), the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF is the full face mask I prefer, but different ones suit different people.

In order to wear masks that are more comfortable (to me) than a full face mask though, I tape my lips shut. Then I can wear the Activa and any other mask I wish. If you do try a FF mask and find that your Activa suited you better, CPAP Senior, you might want to consider methods to block air from escaping through the mouth.

CPAP Senior · Post by **CPAP Senior** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:21 pm

Thank you for you answers. I have one more related question. I use my activa without a humifier. Can I use the FF mask without a humidifier and not get a dry mouth and throat?

rested gal, I attended a meeting put on by our local sleep lab hospital.
Someone asked about taping the mouth shut and the leader warned against it. Said that if a person vomited and had their mouth taped that they risk the danger of choking to death. I hope this helps.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:33 pm

CPAP Senior -

We've had the "vomit" discussion many times over. What it comes down to is weighing risk against benefit.

What are the benefits of taping the mouth? Better treatment (if your mouth isn't closed, you aren't getting the full effect of your treatment air), which means more energy, less drowsiness, less stress on the heart, etc.

Now, what are the chances of vomiting in your sleep (especially if you're not a drinker?) I'd say not good. I know that, at least for me, every time I've ever done that (Eww!) it has definitely woken me up!

Also, Laura (Rested Gal) creates/uses what she calls "quick-release" tabs on the end of her tape so that she can remove the tape easily if need be.

I'm not saying you should or shouldn't do it - I'm not a medical professional, and it's a choice everyone needs to make for themselves. I'm just giving the basics of the arguments I've seen here and on other boards.

Of course, the sleep labs can't recommend it - they'd be liable if the worst happened and someone who'd had one too many taped their mouth shut.

cpap senior · Post by **cpap senior** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:01 am

Thanks for the infomation college girl. You can tell that I'm new to this board or I wouldn't have commented on that.

Can you or anyone tell me what type of tape would be good for taping the mouth shut, one that doesn't irritate the lips. I've been using a chin strap to keep my mouth shut but it uncomfortable. I'll have to reconsider the taping idea. Thanks again.

Kenv · Post by **Kenv** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:37 am

Whatever else you do you should be using a humidifier and plenty of it, it helps to stop your airways from drying out which can lead to long term problems like chronic rhinitis.
Ken

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:56 am

CPAP Senior, here are some interesting (sometimes funny) discussions about mouth taping:

Nov 05, 2005 subject: Attention all Tapirs

Mar 26, 2005 subject: Mouth tape..

Oct 01, 2005 subject: MOUTH TAPING

Aug 12, 2005 subject: F u ll face mask users

Feb 09, 2005 subject: Respironics Chin-strap??

Dec 24, 2004 subject: Just diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea

The next two discussions were on two different message boards. Even though it was same subject, the many pages of responses were different.

Sep 15, 2005 subject: Time for the big Tape Arguement Join In on the ASAA board

Sep 15 2005 subject: Time for the big Tape Arguement Join In on the TalkAboutSleep board

The last link is to a long discussion about frequenseeker's "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard:

Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance

cpap senior · Post by **cpap senior** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:45 am

Ken and others,

I hadn't heard that not using a humidifier could cause chronic rhinitis. Is this what everyone understands? Can I use either cold or heated humidifiers? Although I haven't been using CPAP for very long, I haven't noticed any problems from not using my humidfier. Is it only a matter of time? Can others who have faced this question provide me with their experiences? I'd like to get several opinions and I know there's a lot of experience with the people on this board. It seems like it complicates things more but if the consensus is that I need to use it, I'll have to bite the bullet and take the extra time that might be required. Please help.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:33 am

CPAP Senior, some people find they don't need or like heated humidification or even cold passive humidification. Some need humidification with their machines only certain times of the year, usually in the winter when most homes have dry heat circulating. Others find they need it year round. Just depends on how dried out your nasal passages get with cpap air blowing in. The rhinitis question would be a good one to ask an ENT about.

If you do decide to use a humidifier, I think it's best to get a heated humidifier. You can always turn the heat setting off and use it as a passive humidifier if you don't like any additional warmth in the air.

I personally like a little bit of warmth, so I keep my heated humidifier's heat setting fairly low. I also use the heated hose you can get from sleepzone.com.au to prevent "rainout".

Some people like to have a heated humidifier that attaches directly to the cpap machine...an integrated humidifier. I prefer a separate heated humidifier that simply connects to the cpap machine with a short hose. With a separate humidifier, if I change to a different brand of machine, the humidifier can go along too -- don't have to spend the extra money to get another integrated humidifier to fit a new machine. But that's just my personal preference. I like the Fisher and Paykel HC 150 separate heated humidifier both for its performance and for the placement of the controls on the front.

In any humidifier it's best to use only distilled water. I just add more as needed, using a funnel for easy filling.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:43 pm

Hi Cpap Senior.
I am talking from personal experience. I have recently contracted Chronic (Vasomotor) Rhinitis and it ain't nice. One of the causes of this rhinitis is a very dry atmosphere causing the nasal tissues to dry out. I always had a humidifier but I always had it very low so that I didn't get too much rainout and so my nasal tissues were often extremely dry. I can't guarantee that this was the cause but there's a very good chance indeed that it was! I now have my humidifier on near maximum and use an Australian heated hose to control rainout. IMHO its worth using plenty of humidiity just to avoid even the possibility of chronic rhinitis.
Ken

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:14 pm

Also, I would like to add that wearing a full faced mask will not necessarily stop dry mouth, even with a heated humidifier. It will get rid of the problem of losing pressure through your mouth but I still get terrible dry mouth with a full faced mask and I have a heated humidifier and have tried turning the humidifier up all of the way and all that does is give me rain out. I am a really bad mouth breather though so the results may be different for you but if you're getting a full faced mask mainly to help with dry mouth, I'd explore other options first (like taping the lips which I might say that I've had great success with but you need to make your own decisions. Mouth taping is not for everyone either.).

CPAP Senior · Post by **CPAP Senior** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:38 am

I got a lot of good information from your thoughtful answers. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Full Face Masks and Dry Mouth

Full Face Masks and Dry Mouth

Thanks Ken, Wulfman and rested gal

Taping the mouth

Are humidifiers optional?

Thanks to all for your useful answers