Reducing "chipmunk cheeks"?
Hello, very new APAP user here:
I recently reduced my EPR (from 3 to 2) reduce "Clear Airway" events, and started using mouth tape to reduce mouth leaks. These things resulted in improvement in both areas, but caused my mouth to begin to fill up with excessive air at night.
How can I stop that from happening? I've read people on this forum talk about using proper tongue positioning to block air from entering the mouth, but I've never been able to lift the back of my tongue, so it's hard for me to do this effectively. Is there anything else I can try, or should I just practice getting used to it so it doesn't wake me up in the future?
Thank you!
Info:
Mask: AirFit P10
Pressure: 7 to 14
EPR: 2
(apologies if I missed anything; this is my first week w/ treatment!)
04-23-2024, 02:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-23-2024, 02:37 PM by PeaceLoveAndPizza.)
RE: Reducing "chipmunk cheeks"?
Try this:
1. Start breathing through your nose with your mouth slightly open
2. Close your lips together with a bit of gentle force and keep breathing through your nose
3. Relax
4. Push the tip of your tongue against the back of your top teeth
5. Swallow and hold your tongue in that position as the back should naturally go against or near the roof of your mouth
6. Continue to breath that way for a few minutes
7. Relax
Repeat throughout the day. You should over time get more comfortable with that way of breathing. Don’t worry about “popping” out the excess air in your mouth as needed, it happens to all of us.
You will be able to keep the air from entering your mouth with practice. Good luck!
RE: Reducing "chipmunk cheeks"?
I wanted to see if you were able to fix this