My dry mouth problem is better with one Full Face Mask

[Julius]

Hello Everybody,
I am pretty new to this forum since I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea only 2 months ago.
I have been going through all the initial associated problems with the CPAP masks, starting with Mirage FX Nose Mask which caused problems due to opening my mouth during the night, waking up with terrible dry mouth problems in every 2 hours. Switched to a Full Face Mask the Respironics Full Life which has been causing me frequent leaking problems, then purchased the Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask which is near perfect, no leaks and comfortable enough to sleep, but my dry mouth problem is still terrible.(I still have all 3 masks) My CPAP machine is the PR System One Pro with Cflex+ and Heated Humidifier. My humidity setting is at 2 and I tried to raise it to 3 but my nasal passages get plugged up.
I have been trying Biotene mouthwash, mouth spray, mouth gel, Oragel, Oasis mouthwash and spray, then finally the Rain mouth spray but nothing works. I still wake up in every 2 houtrs with very dry mouth.
What I noticed that my dry mouth problem not near as bad with the Full Life mask which I do not like near as much as the Mirage Quattro but with this one my dry mouth is a LOT worse. How could my dry mouth be mask related ? I am puzzled but tried it several times swithing between the 2 masks and my coclusion is the same. My Nasal Mask just sitting in my cabinet drawer and not being used at all.
I would appreciate it if anybody has any input and experience with similar problems.

[DreamStalker]

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

If you just have allergies or a cold, try saline nasal rinse techniques. If it is a more permanent condition, visit an ENT specialist to see what they can do. Otherwise you need to get used to dry mouth problem.

[zoocrewphoto]

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

Why do you say that?

Is there some scientific study somewhere that says we are better off not breathing through our mouths? Why would we want to discourage somebody from using a mask that they like? Isn't it hard enough trying to adapt to xpap? Why make it worse by telling somebody that they should not use a mask that is working for them?

The dry mouth does tend to get better. I do not know exactly why. I use the Quattro FX, and I had dry mouth at first. Working with the humidity and temp settings helped. But it mostly cleared up on its own. I do occasionally have it again, but not nearly as bad when I started. There is no way in hell I would ever try a nasal only mask. That is actually one of the reasons I put off treatment so long. I thought nasal masks were the only option, and I would never be able to wear one. My airway is smaller than normal. That is my throat as well as my nasal passages. This is why I have asthma. I have trouble swallowing pills. I was horrible at trying to play the flute as well as swimming. Those were long before I was actually diagnosed with asthma. Every dentist I have gone to comments that my mouth is too small, and is more of a challenge. I had 4 teeth removed when I was 15, because my teeth were too crowded and there simply wasn't enough room. I can breathe through my nose when I am standing still or sitting, basically not doing much. But every couple minutes, I will open my mouth and take a huge breath. If I am doing any kind of work, my mouth is open, as I simply can't get enough air otherwise.

I think most people have an idea of how they breathe and what looks comfortable to them. It should be up to the new person to pick out masks they want to try. I don't think we should be discouraging newbies from trying the style they think will work best for them. If my sleep tech had insisted on a nasal mask, they would never have gotten enough data from me, and I might not be getting any treatment. But I was lucky. She didn't start off with her choice. She asked if I thought I would prefer to breathe through my nose or mouth. I said mouth, and she brought me the perfect mask.

[DreamStalker]

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

Why do you say that?

Is there some scientific study somewhere that says we are better off not breathing through our mouths? Why would we want to discourage somebody from using a mask that they like? Isn't it hard enough trying to adapt to xpap? Why make it worse by telling somebody that they should not use a mask that is working for them?

The dry mouth does tend to get better. I do not know exactly why. I use the Quattro FX, and I had dry mouth at first. Working with the humidity and temp settings helped. But it mostly cleared up on its own. I do occasionally have it again, but not nearly as bad when I started. There is no way in hell I would ever try a nasal only mask. That is actually one of the reasons I put off treatment so long. I thought nasal masks were the only option, and I would never be able to wear one. My airway is smaller than normal. That is my throat as well as my nasal passages. This is why I have asthma. I have trouble swallowing pills. I was horrible at trying to play the flute as well as swimming. Those were long before I was actually diagnosed with asthma. Every dentist I have gone to comments that my mouth is too small, and is more of a challenge. I had 4 teeth removed when I was 15, because my teeth were too crowded and there simply wasn't enough room. I can breathe through my nose when I am standing still or sitting, basically not doing much. But every couple minutes, I will open my mouth and take a huge breath. If I am doing any kind of work, my mouth is open, as I simply can't get enough air otherwise.

I think most people have an idea of how they breathe and what looks comfortable to them. It should be up to the new person to pick out masks they want to try. I don't think we should be discouraging newbies from trying the style they think will work best for them. If my sleep tech had insisted on a nasal mask, they would never have gotten enough data from me, and I might not be getting any treatment. But I was lucky. She didn't start off with her choice. She asked if I thought I would prefer to breathe through my nose or mouth. I said mouth, and she brought me the perfect mask.

Hmmm ... I just can't figure out why you would say that I discouraged the OP from using their mask of choice or that I ever said anything about any type of mask.

My intent was never to make the OP (or you) feel abnormal. I was simply pointing out that not being able to breathe through the nose presents a condition that impacts your health, not to mention that it is the primary cause of the OP's dry mouth issue (for which advice was requested on this thread).

Technically, yes, humans can breathe through both their nose and mouth. But have you ever wondered why we have so many little hairs in the nose? I have. Have you ever wondered why our sense of smell is in the nose? I have. Have you ever tried to run an 8-minute mile breathing only through your mouth? I have (didn't get very far though).

Prior to being diagnosed with OSA, I was pretty ignorant about human anatomy and health and evolution and biology in general. After my OSA treatment began, I finally had the clear mind to be able to learn vast amounts of information on those things and learned the answers to the questions above and more.

Try Google for the following ... " human breathing mouth or nose ".

If you still prefer to breathe through your mouth when you have a choice, that is your perogative.

[zoocrewphoto]

Instead of offering advice to solve the problem, or leaving the topic without comment, you posted that the person should solve the nasal problem and stated that it mouth breathing was bad. That pretty much implies that they should switch to a nasal mask, which is not what they asked for.

This is not the first post I have seen that discourages people from using a full face mask.

[archangle]

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

Why do you say that?

Is there some scientific study somewhere that says we are better off not breathing through our mouths? Why would we want to discourage somebody from using a mask that they like? Isn't it hard enough trying to adapt to xpap? Why make it worse by telling somebody that they should not use a mask that is working for them?

I think it's pretty much generally accepted that nose breathing is better than mouth breathing for several reasons.

However, mouth breathing is much better than no breathing, so use a FFM if you need one.

Mouth breathing tends to dry you out even with humidity. Your nose conditions the air with humidity, warming, and filtering. There is also a feedback mechanism of some sort where your brain senses air flow through the nose and adjusts something with your breathing. (I forget the details.) Full face masks also tend to push your jaw back and may make your apnea worse and make you need more pressure.

Full face mask should never be the first choice. It should only be used if there are problems with a nasal mask.

However, if you can handle CPAP better with a full face mask than with a nasal mask, go with it.

[DreamStalker]

Instead of offering advice to solve the problem, or leaving the topic without comment, you posted that the person should solve the nasal problem and stated that it mouth breathing was bad. That pretty much implies that they should switch to a nasal mask, which is not what they asked for.

This is not the first post I have seen that discourages people from using a full face mask.

NO. Read my post again. I implied and meant exactly what I stated ...

Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

I never stated, meant, or implied that Julius should switch to a nasal or any other type of mask ... YOU DID! ... Twice!

Stop trying to put words, implications, or anything else in my mouth -- it's not open because I breathe through my nose, the way I'm supposed to.

And I DID provide a solution to Julius's problem ... address the problem preventing breathing through the nose.

[zoocrewphoto]

Instead of offering advice to solve the problem, or leaving the topic without comment, you posted that the person should solve the nasal problem and stated that it mouth breathing was bad. That pretty much implies that they should switch to a nasal mask, which is not what they asked for.

This is not the first post I have seen that discourages people from using a full face mask.

NO. Read my post again. I implied and meant exactly what I stated ...

Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

I never stated, meant, or implied that Julius should switch to a nasal or any other type of mask ... YOU DID! ... Twice!

Stop trying to put words, implications, or anything else in my mouth -- it's not open because I breathe through my nose, the way I'm supposed to.

And I DID provide a solution to Julius's problem ... address the problem preventing breathing through the nose.

So how is your solution different from switching to a nasal mask? Just because you didn't say those words doesn't mean that this was not what you intended.

Why do you believe that anybody who breathes through their mouth needs fixing? If they do fine with it, why go through unnecessary medical procedures? When I started xpap, I joined this forum and I joined an email list. I asked about dry mouth, and people immediately told me to look into nasal surgery so that I could use a nasal mask (and chin strap,etc). I'll be paying off the sleep study and apap machine for at least a year. Why would I go to doctors, asking about a possible surgery, when I have never had a problem? So, I breathe through my mouth. Big deal.

At least here, people actually answered my question with suggestions for how to improve the situation WITH my mask of choice.

I would still like to know what your claim is based on , that "Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions."

If a person can't breathe through their nose, they can still breathe through their mouth (unless they are dead or have a hole in their throat). If they can't breathe through their mouth, their nose won't be of any help either.

[LSAT]

Hey...Lighten up Zoocrew.....No need to get nasty.

[DreamStalker]

You nasty girl you ... shut your mouth!



Sorry, just couldn't resist.

To answer your question socratically ... did you Google mouth vs nose breathing?

[chunkyfrog]

Has anyone attempted to help the OP? This argument is getting out of hand. Focus, please!
Julius, dear, welcome to the forum.
I get dry mouth with any mask I use, although it is better with the full face mask that fits me best.
(for me, that is the Respironics Comfortgel full face-a heavy mask, but it fits, which is more than most others do.)
If I tape, I can minimize the dry mouth when I wear my new favorite, the Sleepweaver élan, or my Swift fx.
As for mouthwash, Biotene PBF is the best I have tried.
It also helps me to have water near the bedside for a quick drink whenever I feel the need.
I have a very short ramp time, so it is easy to shut off the machine momentarily to have a sip or two.

[archangle]

Sounds like you're leaking air out your mouth with the nasal mask, which makes your mouth dry. Did you try a chin strap?

You might still be opening your mouth with the full face mask. You mouth will tend to dry out if you mouth breathe, even with a full face mask and humidity. You can use a chin strap with a full face mask.

[chunkyfrog]

Adjustable Ruby chinstrap for sale.
Used once, washed once.
I can't stand it.
Make offer.

[DreamStalker]

Has anyone attempted to help the OP? This argument is getting out of hand. Focus, please!
Julius, dear, welcome to the forum.

You're absolutely right ...

Julius, welcome and sorry for the disruption.

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

If you just have allergies or a cold, try saline nasal rinse techniques. If it is a more permanent condition, visit an ENT specialist to see what they can do.

If breathing through your nose is not a problem, a chinstrap will help keep you jaw in place and your mouth closed.

[Julius]

Has anyone attempted to help the OP? This argument is getting out of hand. Focus, please!
Julius, dear, welcome to the forum.

You're absolutely right ...

Julius, welcome and sorry for the disruption.

Have you always had problems breathing through your nose?

You should try to resolve any issues you may have breathing through your nose. Humans are not meant to breathe through their mouths except under temporary conditions.

If you just have allergies or a cold, try saline nasal rinse techniques. If it is a more permanent condition, visit an ENT specialist to see what they can do.

If breathing through your nose is not a problem, a chinstrap will help keep you jaw in place and your mouth closed.

Sorry, I did not mean to create such a commotion with my post, I was only looking for some input from other people with their experience with dry mouth problems wearing masks.
I have been having nasal congestion problems for the past several years, worse when allergy seasons are here in California. I have been using Saline spray 4-5 times a day for a long time. Helps but does not resolve my nasal congestion so I have been using Flonase also at bedtime.
During the day I do not have any problem breathing through my nose, at night I probably slightly open my mouth subconsciously and breathing through my mouth as well. I do not know, all I know that when I did not wear any mask I did not have any dry mouth problem. My dry mouth problem started when I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and started to wear masks, beginning with nose mask which I still have, then Full Face masks which I prefer to use.
So far as I understand there is no solution for the dry mouth problems wearing any kind of masks and it appears, so I just have to keep on doing what I have been, trying various mouth moisturizing products and hope for the best as time goes by it may improve (if I cross my fingers and being lucky enough)
Thank you people for the inputs, I have been definitely learned from them, at least I know what to expect and what not to. Just keep those inputs coming I really appreciate that you take some time to respond with your experience.