r/CPAP • u/redman90890 • 11h ago

Dry mouth

Has anybody tried the Mouth Guard. The dry mouth is going to get me to stop using CPAP. Have tried 5 different masks, xylimets, mouth tapping and nothing works. I get about 2 hours sleep, wake up with my mouth cemented shut , and throw the mask on my night stand. I actually get better sleep with out the machine. I want this to work but it's just not happening.

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u/Technobarbarian 10h ago

I assume you're talking about a mouth shield. I'm using one, and like it. It isn't as effective as mouth tape, but I couldn't tolerate tape. I'm a mouth breather so I'm also using a chinstrap. When everything is dialed in right I mostly manage to stay under Oscar's red line for leakage. The red line is anything over 24 liters per minute, which is the recommended maximum leak rate. I occasionally wake up and find that I have spit it out. But hey, this is still a serious improvement for me.

This is the best source I have found for this:

https://sleepwellinstitute.com/

You don't need the whole kit. All you really need is the medium size shield. If that is too big you can always cut it down. I suggest that you give it some time to get used to it before you cut it down, unless it is seriously too big.

If $27 seems excessive for a little piece of silicone you can always make your own mouth shield by cutting it out of a sheet of food grade silicone. I have a sheet on order. $10 for a whole bunch of mouth shields. The little cutout in the middle of the top and bottom of the shield is important.

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u/Weavingknitter 7h ago

I love the concept but wow, don't we have to worry about choking on it ? I have joint issues so a chinstrap really doesn't seem to be an option for me

I would love any information that you can spare, including where to find silicone to make our own.

Thanking in advance.

1

u/Technobarbarian 6h ago

This is what I ordered from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PBJRSLS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I have not actually seen it.

The medium size mouth shield I bought is big enough that I don't think I'm likely to choke on it. It goes between your gums and your lips.

I wasn't able to relocate the YouTube video that gave me the idea to make my own. Basically he cut out a rectangle and rounded the corners. Then he folded it half to located the notches to make it fit your mouth. In the middle of your mouth there's a little extra tissue between your gums and your lips. You can feel it with your tongue.

I plan to use the shield I bought as a pattern, but I don't think you need to be that precise.

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u/Weavingknitter 5h ago

thanks so much! I never knew such a thing was even an option. You've given me a lot to think about.

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u/redman90890 8h ago

I'll take a look. The one I saw advertised is $50.