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Re: Mouth Breathing Question

Posted by BostonBoy on April 18, 2002 at 07:21:22:

In Reply to: Mouth Breathing Question posted by JohnK on April 18, 2002 at 07:11:06:

There's a simple fix for mouth breathing, and it is what you should try first. If you already use a heated humidifier but wake with a dry mouth, you are almost certainly mouth breathing. Here's what to do:

Consciously and deliberately spread your tongue broad and flat, relax your jaw so that there is a small gap between your upper and lower teeth, and push your tongue forward just a little. You will find that it makes a natural soft plug around the hard palate and rim of the inside of your upper gum and teeth, with the tip of you tongue just beginning to show between your upper and lower front teeth.

Some people do that naturally in response to putting on a mask and experiencing the air pressure. Others have to learn to do it. You can even practice it during the day, trying to breathe out hard through your nose and noting how your tongue can be used as a soft plug. Many people on this forum have reported success with this method, although a few have said that it took them even 2-3 weeks to get the hang of it and to develop the instinct to do it while asleep. I think I took about 3 nights, and I don't think my experience is unusual. Have a go!

I know it sounds corny, but it beats fiddling around with string, glue and tape (!)
Sometimes the oldest remedies work best ...

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