chin straps or other devices for open mouth breathing

I use a ResMed 10 nasal mask machine. From the start, I had problems with mouth breathing. It's just part of me. To compound the situation I have a partial denture (front upper teeth) that I normally would remove at night. With mouth breathing I needed to keep denture in place in order to help keep my mouth sufficiently closed. Not much help. Sleep order practitioner suggested a chin strap. I thought initially that helped, however I still had to keep my denture in all night long. By the way, regardless, in either case I still experienced dry mouth symptoms. How can I resolve this problem enabling me to remove my denture and still be able to keep from mouth breathing. Chin strap only partially helpful. I thought about using one of those sports mouth guards, but I still have that denture situation. In the end, frankly I can't see a great difference in energy level, although my spouse seems to think it has improved.

Sleep practitioner doctor turned me over to nurse practitioner after first visit. Not sure I like that.

(signed) Restless Richard

Richard, you can change your forum user name easily by using the drop down menu immediately to the left of the search icon at the top of the page. In any case, from what I have heard, chin straps are not particularly helpful for the open mouth issue. You jaw sags when you sleep and this opens the mouth and hence the dry mouth and effective mask leaking. I use an MMA mouth guard which fixed that issue for me but with the dentures out, that won't be a great solution for you. I suggest you try a full face mask so you can breathe through your mouth and still benefit from therapy. The secret will be finding a way to keep the lower edge of the full face mask under you bottom lip for seal. That is why I went with the mouth guard and fit the mask to my hollow under my lip and above my chin fairly snug. If using a full face mask and only needing to keep your jaw from sagging out of the mask, perhaps a chin strap might help more than with a nasal mask. I hesitate to mention it but some tape their mouthes shut for this reason but I sure wouldn't do this... good luck!

Honestblue-Headband around the mouth works for me. Made mine from surgical stretch wrap that is 2 inches or less wide. Sewed a piece to form a headband and pulled it down to cover my mouth. Then over liped my top lip a very little bit over my bottom lip underneath the band I used to use paper tape and a CPAP headband that fits under the jaw still wasn't the ticket. Paper tape did work but left me with sticky lips in the am. I used paper tape for a long time. I wish I could thank the woman that invented making her own band. I saw the picture on internet but I now can't find her. BUT, i use a Res Med nasal mask. I hate the full face mask and am returning it. Nasal mask gives me so much more freedom and I can shift from side to side without leaks.

Hi Richard. For patients who really mouth breathe, a full face mask usually works better. It covers your nose and mouth so you can breathe through either. Some patients actually like the full face mask better and have told me they feel less like they are struggling to breathe. Have you attempted wearing one? It might be worth a try! Your chin strap might help, but for some patients, these simply are not tight enough to keep the mouth closed. For dry mouth, have you tried increasing your humidification? There are also things like mouthwash and melts that can help. Several of the Forum users have experienced success with some of these products. Good luck, and please let us know how you are doing!

Face mask didn't work for me. I'd always end up opening my mouth and making horrible noises. Ended up with a nose mask and a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.