Are you having trouble using your CPAP device because your mouth keeps opening? If so, a medical chin strap may be helpful for you.
If you use a CPAP device and breath through your mouth, this could lead to secondary problems. While a full face CPAP mask can help address this problem, these masks aren’t for everyone. Mouth-breathing and nasal masks or nasal pillow masks, on the other hand, leads to mouth leak, where your airway pressure escapes through your open mouth. This means you won’t be able to enjoy the full benefits of your CPAP therapy and may notice the return of your sleep apnea symptoms. Beyond air leaks, mouth breathing while sleeping may also lead to dry mouth, fatigue, bad breath, and even the possibility of periodontal disease. A chin strap can help prevent these issues by gently supporting your chin so your mouth is kept closed and you breathe through your nose.
What is a CPAP Chin Strap?
A CPAP chin strap is a flexible strap that you fit under your jaw and over the top of your head. Its purpose is to keep your mouth closed during sleep, preventing the air that is released from the CPAP machine from escaping the open mouth. Furthermore, a chin strap can help to keep your CPAP mask secure throughout the night. If you’ve experienced your making coming off during your sleeping, a chin strap could help your mask stay in place by offering an extra layer of stability.
Do CPAP Chin Straps Really Work?
Patients on CPAP therapy who breathe through their mouths while sleeping can benefit greatly from these straps. Research has shown that using chin straps can not only improve the sleep apnea severity of participants but also make them more likely to follow their CPAP therapy. The reason for that may be because reducing air leakage reduces the so-called “micro-arousals” that can disrupt a person’s sleep.
Who Can Use a CPAP Chin Strap?
It’s important to mention that not all CPAP patients can benefit from these straps. While they are beneficial and safe for patients who snore with their mounts open, they aren’t recommended for patients who snore through their nostrils. This is because those who suffer from nasal congestion will not receive enough oxygen with a closed mouth and restricted nasal passage. So, consult with your doctor to find out if chin straps are suitable for you.
How to Choose the Right Chin Strap?
Nowadays, you can find a variety of medical chin strap designs available that vary greatly in function, appearance and comfort. Getting the right one is essential to sleep quality. Chin straps should apply minimum force to hold your mouth closed and need to stay in place all night without causing discomfort. Here are the most common chin strap designs available today.
Standard Chin Straps
These chin straps are often made from soft fabric such as cotton or polyester and feature side straps that measure about 2.5 cm thick and connect to a chin guard that’s around 7.5cm thick. The side straps go over the top of your head to hold everything together. This type of chin strap has a durable and solid design that can stand the test of time.
Stability Chin Straps
Their design is similar to the standard one with the difference that it has an extra strap that goes over the crown of your head through a hook-and-loop closure. One great thing about these straps is that they allow for a complete range of motion – you can speak clearly while wearing this chinstrap.
Dual-Band Chin Straps
With this design, a mesh cap is used to hold the two distinct chinstraps that help keep your mouth closed. One strap is made of regular elastic while the other is designed for stability and isn’t as flexible as the elastic strap. The use of two straps instead of one gives you extra support, which helps improve your CPAP therapy.
Other important factors to consider when choosing a chin strap is fit and adjustability. To be the correct size, the straps need to be long enough to keep your mouth secured, which means closed in a comfortable and relaxed position. Loop-and-hook is a common closure system used to keep the chinstrap in position, but there are also designs that use buckles or velcro. Most chin straps you’ll find are designed to support the ching without sacrificing comfort.
How do You Wear a CPAP Chin Strap?
First, take a hold of the loose strap. Then secure the strip around your head (it should be tight but not too tight) while taking care not to get your hair caught in the process. The goal is to achieve a comfortable level of tightness (it should hug gently against your head). Note that it’s fine if you can open your mouth while awake – the strap goal is to keep your jaw securely shut when resting, not to clamp your mouth shut.
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