Dry Mouth & Dental Issues

I have recently been waking up several times a night for the last few months with a very dry mouth - been on CPAP for 6 years and not had this problem before. I also have AFib and while talking about this issue on an AFIb forum I received this reply below. I had never heard this before and am wondering if it's now a new "worry" I need to be aware of?? Anyone else heard about this? Have basically healthy teeth!

"I have noticed that, when my humidifier runs dry overnight, my teeth are dried out; you can even see a line of demarcation in them where they are dry.
I was discussing CPAP with a friend who is a dental expert and lectures all around the country at dental conferences and dental schools. She was horrified about the damage CPAPs can do. But, yes, dry mouth can lead to all manner of expensive issues."

I was having the same problem. I now have to tape my mouth, plus use a headband over that, and now no more dry mouth or severe sore throat. And this morning i had zero leakage.

It's quite true, unfortunately, but it need not be so. Use the 'optimal' humidity settings you can, and if you awaken with a dry mouth, it probably means mouth breathing OR simply that the PAP is forcing air out of your mouth preferentially at least part of the time. Also, when you awaken later, you are likely to have entered that deepest of sleep where you may relax even more than in earlier stages, meaning your mouth can slacken to the extent that the PAP forces air out the path of least resistance. This was my experience from the outset, starting about eight weeks ago. I had to tape my mouth shut. Fortunately, I suffer no anxiety doing this, and can sleep so much better and longer because I don't awaken with a start feeling the change as my lips open, as was the case. 3M makes a good 'waterproof' surgical tape available at pharmacies. I use the stuff about 1" wide, and tear off a strip about 4" long (2.54 cm and 10 cm respectively). I have found, on my face, that it needs to extend at least a cm past the ends of my lips to keep a seal overnight.

If you elect to try this, please persist for at least three or four nights. One thing that will happen is that your cheeks will balloon as you begin to fall asleep, or they'll hopefully do it later WHEN you are asleep, the later stages, and you won't know it. This is how it works for me. If I find it bothers me, I slack my jaw and tongue on purpose as I get close to sleep and get used to the new sensation of the ballooning cheeks, but I do fall asleep.

I hope you get on top of this very soon. Good luck.

CarCulmer wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:16 am

I have recently been waking up several times a night for the last few months with a very dry mouth - been on CPAP for 6 years and not had this problem before.

Have any of your medications changed recently? Some medications can cause dry mouth.

The other possibility is that something has changed, and you are now mouthbreathing. This would need to be addressed, not just because of dental issues, but also because you could be losing the therapeutic pressure and experiencing apneas.

CarCulmer wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:16 am

She was horrified about the damage CPAPs can do.

Does this dental "expert" have any idea of the damage untreated sleep apnea can cause? Is she, by any chance, promoting dental devices for treatment of sleep apnea?

I can recommend a good overnight dry mouth gel, but I hesitate to do that because the reason for dry mouth should be determined first.

BTW, are you certain about the exact model of CPAP listed in your equipment profile? This was discussed in another thread regarding whether your machine is compatible with Sleepyhead.

AS10 CPAP = NOT full data - compliance only (the limitation is with the machine, not SH)
AS10 Elite = YES, works with completely
AS 10 AutoSet = YES, works with completely
AS10 AutoSet for Her = YES, works with completely

If my humidifier tank were running dry during the night,
I would keep a spare tank nearby, filled, for a quick change.
Setting an alarm might be an idea if I slept through it running dry.

CarCulmer wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:16 am

"I have noticed that, when my humidifier runs dry overnight, my teeth are dried out;

This person is breathing through their mouth and using a nasal mask. That's why the humidifier runs dry - air is rushing out the mouth carrying water vapor with it. Of course, this also causes dry mouth.

The user should use a chin strap or a full face mask. They may also need to use an overnight mouth gel.