Chinstraps and full face mask

[Dreamless]

I have primary central sleep apnea. I have recently switched to a new DME provider for supplies for my ASV bipap machine.  They informed me that I shouldn’t be wearing a chinstrap because I wear a full face mask.  I’ve been wearing a chinstrap the past nine years because I’m a mouth breather and without the chinstrap I get really bad dry mouth. 
Can anyone on the forum elaborate on this situation?

Thank you in advance for your time!  - Dreamless

Have to update my profile due to a new machine in the last 2 days - AirCurve 10 ASVauto

[Ratchick]

There's no reason NOT to wear a chinstrap if you find it helps your comfort. The reason they said this, I presume, is because most people use a chinstrap to enable them to use nasal/pillow masks and reduce mouth leak... but even though an FFM makes mouth leaks a non-entity in terms of therapeutic efficacy, it absolutely DOES cause a horribly dry mouth, no matter how much you drive up the humidifier.

If you find that using a chinstrap helps reduce your dry mouth, and it's not causing you leaks (as some straps come up high enough to shift the mask) then go for it. Use a chin strap. Personally, I've given up and use a soft collar now, even with my FFM, because it stops me waking up after 60-90 minutes with my mouth so dry I can barely swallow. There are other things that might help with a dry mouth, products like Biotene or the xylitol lozenges that you tuck between your gum and cheek, but not everyone can tolerate those or find they help. Do whatever feels comfortable for you, though.

I don't know about you, but even with a chinstrap or a collar, I still have mouth leaks, just reduced enough that I can tolerate them - which is why I STILL use an FFM most of the time and only use pillows when I have to give the bridge of my nose a rest or I can be bothered to tape my mouth, put on a chinstrap and then the pillows. LOL The collar or chinstrap just stops my chin from dropping so far that it falls out of the mask, and helps stop the whole chipmunk cheeks thing which sometimes happens even with an FFM.

[factor]

Just do what works. If the chin strap works then keep it. It could be helping if you have chin drop.

[Dreamless]

Thank you so much for replying. I would like to ask you another question. I have for the past
 9-1/2 years put on my full face mask then the chinstrap. I read a post recently, to try putting on the chinstrap first and then the full face mask. Your thoughts on this please. 
Thank you for your time! 
  - Dreamless

[OpalRose]

It probably doesn't matter unless you have reason to remove your mask at night, then you might want the chin strap on first. But do whatever is the most comfortable for you.
If I were using a chin strap, I would put it on over the mask.

[SarcasticDave94]

Just use this and you won't need a chin strap. I am kidding in case you can't tell.

[Gideon]

As long as you are using what works I have no problem.

In general the best chin straps for us (CPAP users) to use would gently pull vertically. Those that pull up AND back not so much. I'd rather see a soft cervical collar used which is designed to maintain a proper alignment.
An orthodontist pushes and pulls on the teeth and jaw to alter alignment, we don't want to do that unintentionally.

[Ratchick]

When I use the chinstrap, I personally put it under for the FFM and the P30i because of how and where the headgear straps sit, but I put it OVER on the P10 because that has such a minimalistic headgear, I find it just gets in the way underneath. But YMMV. Whichever works best and feels better for you is what's right, in the end. And yes, a soft collar definitely works well for me too.

[Dreamless]

Wow, thank you all for your input and your time. 

I've just gotten a new, different ASV machine  last Thursday due to the recall. I'm really having a time dealing with leaks, dry mouth and the machine in general. I'm exhausted. 

Thanks, Dreamless

[factor]

Wow, thank you all for your input and your time. 

I've just gotten a new, different ASV machine  last Thursday due to the recall. I'm really having a time dealing with leaks, dry mouth and the machine in general. I'm exhausted. 

Thanks, Dreamless

Start a separate treatment thread and post a screen shot F12 of your daily section.  Someone here will help you.