Mouth Tape Option

I don't have apnea and have never used a machine, but your question is about mouth taping, which I have done for at least two years now. I read about mouth taping in a book called Breath by James Nestor. He recommended cutting a piece the size of a postage stamp and just sealing the front of the lips. I follow that advice and have not once been wakened with that awful dry mouth, and my respiratory issues have generally been much better. I don't have a brand to recommend; I just pick up various medical/first aid tapes at the store, keep a roll in my nightstand with baby fingernail scissors, and apply a patch when I turn out the lights. I also wear a mouth guard due to tooth grinding. Taking the tape off in the morning is never a problem.

I’m on my 4th day of using my cannula cpap. I’m having severe dry mouth where I can’t keep my mouth closed so I discontinue usage, I still get in my hours but that’s not point, going to try the lozenges tonight, THANKS

Does this actually promote nasal breathing . is it safe, crucially does the tape stay on

Hi @lotsofpain,

I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:

"Mouth Tape Option"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mouth-tape-option/

@woodlanddsm, @johnbishop, @gloaming and @thankful all shared their experiences with mouth tape and may be able to share their experiences with you with how it stays on and helps with breathing.

@lotsofpain, I think the mouth tape actually promotes nasal breathing by keeping you from breathing through your mouth. @gloaming had a really good suggestion earlier in this discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/998044/.

@johnbishop In fact, for two years now, I have been using a product my wife found (and ordered enough of it to last me until 2140!) called PAPMd. Several wide adhesive strips come on plastic backing in a resealable pouch. Being a cheapskate, I always look for ways to double my use of such things, and I found that I can cut them in half, carefully to make each half close to the same size as the other, lengthwise...so now two long, narrower, strips instead of one that could be used on a gorilla. Even better, again scrupulously cleaning my mouth each night before applying it, I can get many uses out of a single strip (to be completely ridiculous about it, I went as high as 15 one time....that's why I figure it will be 2140 before I run out 😀 )

@gloaming
You are so funny. I relate to your money savings techniques.

On a personal note, I am now back to a nasal mask. Went to one from the beginning of this process that I used last December. Because of some dental work interference by the full face, I tried this and have been using it ever since...no dry mouth, no mouth breathing. Talk about full circle. That is not to say I can stand wearing this stuff past my four hour minimum, but I will keep trying because I think I can perceive some good progress.

Always read your stuff. And I always learn something new.

Thanks for your posts.

@dalebout123 I gotta bring levity to some of my posts. We live in a very arid world on health fora, parched....and needy. I know people who come here seeking help or guidance are fraught, nervous, scared, feeling ignored or alone, thirsty for information and reassurance, where some don't trust their own ability to find facts and to internalize them. Depending on my time availability, I can look terse and unsympathetic in my posts, and I try to balance those out with some fun or light-hearted banter. It's that or cry...sometimes.

I appreciate sincerely your statement, and I hope I can continue to help in some small way...even if just to make people burst out laughing. Thank-you, dalebout123.

I found the best mouth tape is to use 2” wide kinesiology tape and cut strips about 1” wide. It stays on well and peels off fairly easily. I also use either Xylimelts ot Xyligel. My mouth stays shut however i still wake in the morning with a totally dry mouth - go figure. I use pretty high humidity in my machine also and have a nasal mask. At times i can barely swallow when i wake up with my mouth so dry.

@carculmer
The Xylimelts work well for me.