mouth open while asleep

Posted by akalsas @akalsas, Feb 28, 2021

What do others do to stop mouth breathing while asleep? No problem with tonsils/sinus,etc.

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@akalsas, I also have that problem and I think it's possibly one of the pieces of my obstructive sleep apnea. Some people have found using chin straps to be helpful. I find that sleeping on my back pretty much means that I will be breathing through my mouth so I focus on trying to stay on my sides when sleeping. I also have a deviated septum but have never seen an ENT to see if a septoplasty will help at my age (77) or if it's worth having. When I first go to bed I try to relax and focus on my breathing keeping my mouth closed and breathing through my nose.

Do you normally sleep on your back?

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I have the same issue. I always fall asleep breathing through my nose. However during the course of the night I must roll over and then my mouth opens and I wake up choking. I have been told I have to discipline myself and not roll on my back - BUT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT - I'M ASLEEP. ;-0) I just ordered a chin strap which has not come yet. Hopefully that will solve the problem. There are masks that cover both your nose and mouth.

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@dianechaz49

I have the same issue. I always fall asleep breathing through my nose. However during the course of the night I must roll over and then my mouth opens and I wake up choking. I have been told I have to discipline myself and not roll on my back - BUT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT - I'M ASLEEP. ;-0) I just ordered a chin strap which has not come yet. Hopefully that will solve the problem. There are masks that cover both your nose and mouth.

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@dianechaz49, If the chin strap doesn't help there is another option - pillows and devices to keep you on your side. They either prevent you from rolling over or wake you if you do so you can stay on your side 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Side-Pillow/s?k=Sleep+on+Side+Pillow
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@johnbishop

@dianechaz49, If the chin strap doesn't help there is another option - pillows and devices to keep you on your side. They either prevent you from rolling over or wake you if you do so you can stay on your side 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Side-Pillow/s?k=Sleep+on+Side+Pillow

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Thank you so much for the website. If the chin strap does not work, I will
definitely order from this website!

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@johnbishop

@dianechaz49, If the chin strap doesn't help there is another option - pillows and devices to keep you on your side. They either prevent you from rolling over or wake you if you do so you can stay on your side 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Side-Pillow/s?k=Sleep+on+Side+Pillow

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Thank you so much for the link to this website. If the chin strap does not help I will be ordering from them!

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Have you been tested for sleep apnea?

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Yes. It's not severe but I wake up after about 3 or 4 hours of sleep on my back. I started on my left side

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Have you been checked for sleep apnea?

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@marjou

Have you been checked for sleep apnea?

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Yes. I'm waiting for a chin strap right now from my sleep apnea provider. Will look into a full face mask if this doesn't work or is uncomfortable. I'm hoping that will help.

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@dianechaz49

Yes. It's not severe but I wake up after about 3 or 4 hours of sleep on my back. I started on my left side

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I sleep on my back most of the time and with my mouth open also. I recently got tested and I have mild sleep apnea. It’s taking me awhile adjusting to my full mouth CPAP but I’ll get there. This should help with my open mouth breathing. I’ve found that Xylimelts works great for dry mouth.

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