Dry mouth; chin strap caused sleepiness

I use a nasal pillow with my ResMed CPAP. It leaves me with a dry mouth, so I keep a water bottle next to my bed.

My provider suggested I try a chin strap to help keep my mouth sealed. The first night I tried it, I was very sleepy all the next day. I had been pretty sleepy for a few days before this, but I thought I was recovering. The second night, I could not get my mouth comfortable, so I removed the chin strap. I feel much better today.

My guess is that my jaw was pushing against the strap all night long. My teeth don't quite line up, so it is very uncomfortable for me to fully close my mouth.

Is this an issue of retraining my jaw muscles? Do I need to keep something in my mouth to prop my jaw slightly open? What other options are there?

Hello, Ashingi. If you are having issues with discomfort when you close your mouth, it may be good to find a dentist in your area who also practices sleep medicine. Chin straps can often help and tend to work better for people with minor mouth-breathing issues. For people who are chronic mouth breathers due to nasal obstruction or who just cannot keep their mouth closed while on treatment, a full face mask is often more comfortable and a better option. Humidified air can enter through either the nose or mouth with a full face mask. A dentist who also practices sleep medicine can help determine whether an oral device will help with your specific situation. Best wishes, and please keep us posted on your progress!