Mouth Tape Option

Hi @woodlanddsm - There are a lot of us mouth breathers that wake up with a dry mouth using a CPAP. I've tried a few of the mouth tapes without much success, mostly because it hurt pulling the tape off or it didn't stick very well. I also tried a chin/head strap which some folks have found helpful but I just couldn't get comfortable with it. While you wait for other members to respond, you might find the following discussion helpful:
--- Alternatives to CPAP for sleep apnea: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/.

I have found using Biotine mouthwash before I go to bed at night helps some with the mouth drying out.

The blue roll of 3M Nexcare 'Strong Hold' tape is very good at staying put. I can even get two or three nights out of a 3" strip if I clean my lips with warm water and soap before applying the tape. This is the secret...clean mouth.
Take your time and remove the tape with a minimum of steady pressure when you awaken. Pull just hard enough to slowly get it to peal off. It takes me about a full minute to do this...I'm not kidding. This helps the adhesive to remain on the tape for another use.

Another product, but I haven't tried it, is Somnifix. I think that's what it's called. They say good things about it on apneaboard.com. Some also use a lozenge whose name I have forgotten. It is also discussed there. Keeps the mouth moist.

I've tried the 3M Nexcare Sensitive Skin and even with it I had issues the next day but not quite as bad as the Strong Hold tape which I tried first. Have to admit I didn't use warm water and soap before applying it but did just use a warm washcloth to wipe the face and mouth area before applying. I have used the XyliMelts lozenges which are pretty good - https://www.amazon.com/XyliMelts-Moisturizing-Adhering-Stimulates-Non-Acidic/dp/B007XEVQ8G/. Recently I just switched to using Ricola sugar free lemon herb or just the plain herb which also opens my nose a little in addition to keeping the mouth moist.

@johnbishop @gloaming Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and providing links for ideas. I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

I hope you can find something that works for you and provide an update to let us know. I'm still looking for the perfect full face CPAP mask due to the bridge of my nose always being red and sore when waking up. Have been thinking about what @thankful mentioned about having one of those face shapes that doesn't really fit well with the full face masks. I even tried one of those Respironics FitLife masks that covers the entire face but they don't work well for a side sleeper which I am for a majority of the night. So my next step may be looking for one that just covers the nose and using mouth tape and/or a chin strap.

@johnbishop, @gloaming, @woodlanddsm
it's been awhile since I have keep up with the group but thought I would weigh in. Us mouth breathers are definitely challenged! When you think of it, just wearing the C-Pap gear alone is amazing that we stick with it.
I have always used a nasal mask mainly as john mentioned I seem to have a "tweener" face shape so mask leakage was a big problem for me. Also I tend to sleep on my side(s) about half the time so a full mask just won't work for me. I've tried all kinds of chin straps and the one that works best for me is a 3"wide stretchy ace looking bandage that I find does a good job of keeping it in place that has a strap attached with velcro. The one thing though that helps me is to put it on first and then the mask so that slso helps keep it in place. I've been using the Resmed Air Fit N-20 nasal mask which allows good side sleeping w/o much air leakage problems. I tried that 1" 3M tape that I read about in a book called Breathe, but like John the tape stuck to my lips and I felt that I would tear the skin. I also have a mustache so that was a bit of a problem.
I'm going on 24 years using C-Pap and this set-up seems to work best for me. It's always great to hear all your recommendations or what seems to work.
Thanks for sharing what you are doing! @thankful

XyliMelts lozenges

Thanks, John. That's the one.

I think you may mean what I use----OraCoat's XYLIMELTS stick-on melts for moisturising. I use two each night and they stick to the gums and gradually melt as they moisturize. It doesn't completely solve the problem but helps enough that I never go to sleep without them.

I tried several full face masks and finally I am using the Airfit n30 with a chin strap part of the week and tape the other days. I also am a side sleeper and this works the best for me. I'm going to try the 3M strong hold tape now. Thanks to everyone for the recommendation.

I just use Resmed 11 cpap with mask covering only the nose and the tube in the back of my head. Also I use 3M tape for my mouth. It works really well together. Prior with taping my mouth, I ended with three loose teeth and painful jaw. I had the three teeth removed then went back to wearing cpap as my sleep apnea was getting worse causing more sleeping problems. I am still tired but hopefully this second time around with patience will solved my sleep apnea.
Good luck to you,
Susie