Best CPAP Mask For Mouth Breathers | Buyers Guide

I hate to admit it, but I am a mouth breather. I always have been. For me, I seem to believe that I can get more air into my lungs this way.

The downside to being a mouth breather is that I can’t sneak up on someone and surprise them. Nor can I sit quietly in a doctor’s office waiting room, library or any other “quiet” place without getting noticed.

The real challenge for me is sleeping. As a mouth breather, I am pretty loud at times. It took me quite some time to find the best CPAP machine for mouth breathers, but I did.

Below is a little bit of my research. I hope it can help you as well.

Okay, this is what I would consider the Cadillac of CPAP machines for those of us who are mouth breathers.

There are a few reasons why I say that and they include the very simplistic but equally practical one size fits all design. You can’t go wrong with that kind of philosophy no matter how you slice it.

The ergonomic design of this particular CPAP mask is such that you won’t experience soreness at the top of your nose nor will there be any kind of irritation.

For my money, that makes the ResMed AirFit F30 Full Face CPAP Mask the best CPAP mask for mouth breathers and I can vouch for that.

You don’t normally throw around words like “simplus” unless you mean it. As for the Fisher & Paykel Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask, they mean it as in “simple to use, plus easy to wear” and as far as I’m concerned, that works for me.

An added feature is the auto-adjust which not only optimizes the effect, it creates a firm, quiet and comfortable seal.

The manufacturers also employ what they call Advanced Air Diffuser Technology which is a fancy way of saying there is low or no noise and draft thanks to the nifty design.

This company uses some of their in-house, trademarked features on this very cool looking and effective product.

The ResMed Quattro Air Full Face CPAP Mask has an enhanced dual-wall Spring Air ™ cushion which provides superior comfort.

Add to this the flex-wing forehead support and you are now looking at a mask that is easy to adjust and is equally as stable.

Then there is the SoftEdge ™ headgear which lets you have a comfortable sleep in virtually any position. Hanging upside down is likely not one of them, I’m afraid to say.

Well, us mouth breathers are sort of different. We don’t normally fit into the same category as those sleepers who just drop their heads on their pillows and are out like a light until the next morning. Mouth breathers are a bit on the loud side and when it comes to CPAP machines, your normal choices don’t always work with us. Luckily, CPAP machine manufacturers know this. I think it’s because someone in management is also a mouth breather.

Regardless, the most logical choice to assist mouth breathers is a full face mask. Aside from looking a bit like a sci-fi character, the full face mask does serve several practical purposes. They include:

Effective for use for sleepers who drop their jaw when asleep.
An excellent option for sleepers who sleep best on their side.
They decrease nasal passage strain, particularly during cold/flu season.
The best choice for users with pressure greater than 17cm H2.

A full-face mask will also reduce the amount of irritation to nasal cavities as the full-face design will send air into both the mouth and nose. If you have a deviated septum or any other type of nasal issue, a full face mask will work best for you.

Best Brands

The best CPAP mask for mouth breathers choices I listed above represent just four different manufacturers. Here is a little more information on each of these companies for you.

ResMed

ResMed is a medical equipment company based in San Diego, California. It was founded in 1989 and provides cloud-connectable medical devices for the treatment of sleep apnea (including CPAP machines/masks), COPD and additional respiratory conditions. The company operates in over 120 countries worldwide and has over 7,500 employees.

Fisher & Paykel

Founded in 1934, Fisher & Paykel is a major appliance manufacturer owned by the Haier Company. It is based in East Tamaki, New Zealand.

Philips Respironics

Respironics is a medical supply company that focuses mostly on products related to improving respiratory function. Founded in 1976 in Murrayville, Pennsylvania, Respironics is one of many subsidiaries of the Philips Company. They introduced their first CPAP machine in 1985 and continues to work on developing and manufacturing machines to assist with COPD and other respiratory issues.

1. Can you breathe through your mouth with a CPAP?

Yes, you can. There are specific models designed with a full face mask that will send air through both the mouth and nose.

2. How do I keep my mouth shut with CPAP?

You have a couple of options available to you if you happen to be a mouth breather. First, you can use a chin strap. What this does is it will hold your mouth shut by keeping your lower jaw in the proper position. Your second option is a full face CPAP mask. While this won’t keep your mouth shut when sleeping, it will still deliver air through both your nose and mouth.

3. Which CPAP mask is best for mouth breathers?

I have listed my top choices above. It is not all of the types available, but ones I would highly recommend if you are seeking a CPAP mask for yourself or someone you know who is a mouth breather.

What else can I tell you? If you are a mouth breather like me, you are probably somewhat relieved if you have read everything posted here to this point. I know I wasn’t aware at first that there was a CPAP option for me. It’s not that I thought I was the only person around who breathed through their mouths, but I knew I was a bit on my own within my own family. Once I discovered the best CPAP mask for mouth breathers I was on my way to better sleep. Hopefully, I have been able to give you at least a little bit of hope that there is help out there to improve your sleep and from where I’m sitting, it involves a full CPAP mask.