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This link is to a long discussion about frequenseeker's "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard to stop mouthbreathing and mouth air leaks:

Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750

Topic with pictures of snork1's creation:
viewtopic.php?t=3265

Topic with pictures of a one piece design by freelans:
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... 71242#7124

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Direct link to the photos of homemade DIY mouthguards:
http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/DIYmouthleakPhotos/

I used 3M Micropore until I switched to an FFM. Dry mouth got worse but it's worth it.

FFM gave you worse dry mouth? why do you say it was worth it?

[quote="rested gal"]This link is to a long discussion about frequenseeker's "DIY" (Do It Yourself) mouthguard to stop mouthbreathing and mouth air leaks:

Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=4750


Two nights ago I made the mouthpiece shown by frequenseeker. My first try was pretty good so I slept with it Saturday and slept 6.5 hours. Last night it was 7.2 and my leaks were under 4 and AHI under 2. I woke up two mornings in a row with my CPAP running and the mask on my face. I haven't done that (wearing mask night till morning two nights in a row) since I started almost 6 months ago. Chinstraps have been annoying me (hot) but the mouthguard wasn't even noticeable. I'm a happy papper.

Colgate has a mouth wash for dry mouth. I use it after I brush my teeth right before bed. Tastes much better than the Bioten stuff. That and I use a PapCap to keep my mouth shut. No dry mouth recently.

Hose Head by Night wrote:FFM gave you worse dry mouth? why do you say it was worth it?

Sometimes with an FFM, you breathe through the mouth and get a dry mouth. This is still better than having all your air leak out and losing your therapy.

Absolutely !

Been trying the tape. Not working so well, if I cough it seems to blow the tape off.

I am trying to find the thread that described how to cut pantyhose for a better chin strap.

The chin strap I just got rolls off the top of my round head. It just will not stay in place.

Another question. With continued dry mouth, does this cause any dental or gum problems over the long term?
I am worried that although I am light years ahead on my sleeping that I will end up toothless.

Pantyhose - viewtopic/t63554/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63 ... se#p591482

Chin strap. I use 3 inch non-adhesive Ace bandage. Wrap under chin, over top of head. Secure loop with safety pins. Put mask over top of strap. I've started taking a piece of velcro and wrapping it over the outside of the strap. The velcro doesn't stretch, so it keeps the strap from stretching.

May or may not work for you. It's comfortable and cheap.

Hose Head by Night wrote: Another question. With continued dry mouth, does this cause any dental or gum problems over the long term?
I am worried that although I am light years ahead on my sleeping that I will end up toothless.

Yes it will create a dental problem. Which is why you need a full face mask like the hybrid (NOT the liberty)which covers the mouth AND has a chin flap to help keep it shut.

Hose Head by Night wrote: Another question. With continued dry mouth, does this cause any dental or gum problems over the long term?
I am worried that although I am light years ahead on my sleeping that I will end up toothless.

Plenty of non-CPAP people breathe through their mouths. It's not good for your dental health, but it's not necessarily a death sentence for teeth. CPAPers probably have more air flowing through their mouth and the dryness is worse.

thanks everyone. as a newbie cpap user this info really helps.