If you are here, you already know what obstructive sleep apnea means. It’s the condition in which one’s upper airways are obstructed due to overly relaxed muscles at night.
CPAP treatment provides the required air to the blocked airways to maintain the optimal functioning of the body.
If one has to go through CPAP therapy, it naturally means they will get the option to choose between the various masks available. It could be a full face mask, a nasal mask, or a nasal pillow mask.
If it’s a nasal pillow mask or nasal mask, it’s important to keep your mouth closed at night .
Otherwise, not only would you not be able to get the full benefit of your CPAP machine therapy, but also wake up with a dry mouth.
This happens because the air from the CPAP masks would end up flowing into your mouth instead. The perfect solution to this is the best CPAP chin strap.
What is a chin strap, you ask? Well, it’s an elastic strap that goes from the top of your head to your chin, providing enough resistance to keep your mouth from falling open preventing mouth leaks.
These tend to be flexible, so the patient doesn't feel restricted.
For a first-timer, choosing a chin strap can be hard. After intensive research, we found the 3 listed below to be perfect and have the best CPAP chin strap reviews ready.
We’ll discuss:
- - What You Should Keep In Mind While Choosing A CPAP Chinstrap
- - The Commonly Seen Designs In CPAP Chinstrap
- - The Top CPAP Chinstraps Currently Available
What Should You Keep in Mind While Choosing a CPAP Chinstrap?
The best chin strap for sleep apnea should have a great adjusting mechanism and fitting. When finding the ideal chinstrap, certain things should be paid attention to. Here are some of them:
The Closing Mechanism
Usually, there are two kinds of closures that you’ll find on modern chinstraps. One is the looping method where you loop the chinstrap through the hook. The other is the velcro or buckle closure system.
Choose a chinstrap depending on the kind of closure system you’re most comfortable with.
The Price
Chinstraps can be expensive. These days, chinstraps come with complex, advanced mechanisms that no one really needs. It does nothing but add to your already existing CPAP treatment costs.
It’s best to stick to a low-budget when it comes to buying chinstraps, as the ultimate factor is to keep your chin in place at night.
The Size
The straps have to be long enough so that it covers every area properly, starting from the head to mouth. The chin strap has enough room so that it can be adjusted to fit your face.
However, a chin strap that’s shorter than the length of your head to the chin would be impossible to use. It would just be money wasted on your part.
Chin Guard
Chin guards should be as soft as the chinstraps. While it should provide support to your chin, it should not be at the cost of your comfort.
It shouldn’t feel as if there’s something scratchy on your chin, preventing you from falling asleep easily.
The Commonly Seen Designs In CPAP Chinstrap
There certainly isn’t a lack of brands when it comes to chinstraps. The design and features on them can be distressingly similar, though there are some designs that stand out.
Let’s take a look at the primary ones.
Stability Focused Chinstrap
This one comes with an extra strap along with the main strap. The extra strap uses a loop enclosure system to meet at the back of your head.
The design is still on the simple side. It’s just a bit of added stability to your chinstrap. Even with the extra strap on, you shouldn’t have any problem speaking if you wish to do so.
Regular Chinstrap
This is the most common model you will find when you think of CPAP chinstraps. It might also be the most effective one as it doesn’t have any extra, unnecessary additions.
It solely focuses on what’s important- keeping your chin in place.
In this case, there is a guard on your chin which tends to be about 3 inches in thickness.
Two side-straps about 1 inch thick are connected to the guard It covers the side of your face and finally meets at the top of your head.
Usually, polyester or even cotton is used for the chin guard. It’s a durable design that should work for years.
Headgear Chinstrap
Despite being named the headgear chinstrap, it’s actually not a gear for your head.
In fact, it does not have anything to do with your head. In this case, the loop and hook mechanism is employed to attach it to your mask.
So, as long as your nasal mask is in good condition, your chinstrap should be too.
The problem with this kind of chinstrap is that you have to remove the mask and the chinstrap when you want the mask off. Mostly though, it’s not much of an inconvenience.
The Dual-Band Mechanism
The two chin straps are held together with the help of a mesh cap. One of the straps is the regular elastic strap. It’s meant to ensure you feel comfortable and is of a soft quality.
The other one, while soft, isn’t flexible like an elastic strap usually is, nor is it made up of elastic. The main point of the second strap is to keep your chin firm in place.
In this case, the two main straps are of a different nature. This system makes sure your mouth will stay closed with the help of the chinstrap.
The only problem is that you might feel more comfortable using a completely flexible chinstrap as opposed to a less flexible one.
The Top CPAP Chinstraps Currently Available
Best In Rest Adjustable Chin Strap
This chinstrap from Best In Rest prioritizes comfort and ease of use above all else.
The material is so thin it doesn’t feel too tight on your jaw but adds enough pressure to keep the chin firm in place. This way, you stop snoring and prevent mouth leaks.
The CPAP chin strap is an adjustable one. You can arrange and rearrange the strap length until you find one that doesn’t feel too tight on your chin or the top of your head.
It works effectively throughout the night in keeping your chin in place.
The material is soft and of the highest quality. But it’s thin enough to not make you feel uncomfortable.
You won’t feel as if you’re wearing a chinstrap once you have adjusted it on your face. You won’t feel it digging into your chin either, thus enabling you to have a good night’s sleep.
Clear instructions are available on the package on how to use it. The method is startlingly simple.
For cleaning, soaking it in mild soap and warm water solution, followed by rinsing and drying it should keep the elastic as good as new.
Philips Respironics Deluxe Chin Strap
The chinstrap is about 3 inches in thickness and supported further with a 1-inch stability strap.
It’s a two-step adjustment system where you can pair the two straps for extra stability. The extra strap goes towards the back of your head while the main one is like any other regular chin strap.
This can be hard to adjust. However, once you do get it right, you can be assured your mouth won’t be falling open at any point in the night.
You might find having the strap on the back of your head uncomfortable and it might be better to sleep on your side with this one.
Otherwise, the material is quite soft and the effectiveness of the CPAP therapy is guaranteed.
Halo Chinstrap
The chinstrap is made of breathable fabric. The fabric is extremely thin to make sure it doesn’t feel rough on your face.
It flaunts a premium design with the adjustment point being at the area right above your cheek.
You can adjust the chinstrap until you find the perfect length on all sides. The chin cup has a mini opening so your chin is protected. For a chinstrap though, the price might be higher than normal.
Final Thoughts
Chinstraps are the support your nasal masks or nasal pillow masks need. It ensures you don’t end up breathing through your mouth and intake lots of dry air as a result of a CPAP mask leak.
It also makes sure that you don’t end up disturbing someone in the same room due to snoring.
Your immunity is strengthened when you breathe properly through your nose. It also helps your body relax enough to fall into a more peaceful sleeping state.
However, a chinstrap that’s not soft enough can be uncomfortable to sleep with. So, consider all your choices carefully before deciding on a CPAP chinstrap.