Desert Mouth

[Doodster]

Hello Everyone I’m new to the community so any help is greatly appreciated. I have been using the ResMed S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier machine for little over a year now. I use the Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask and a chin strap as well because I am a mouth breather (yew) lol. The issue I am having is my mouth gets so dry it has caused a one of my teeth to come out and a couple crowns to break off my permanent teeth due to this dryness. I do use the chin strap and it does keep my mouth closed but as of now I have stopped the using my cpap, I do it. My dentist suggested I speak with the cpap rep where I purchased the machine about my problem, but as my luck goes they have gone out of business. If anyone can give me pointers or has had this problem maybe suggesting a different style mask what ever
please let me know Thanks.

[Uncle_Bob]

You would do well to download the sleepyhead software (free) to help you monitor your therapy. You are likely having some leak issues which is an issue for most people.
No here one can recommend a specific mask for you, mask fit is a bit of a fight. Some people, such as myself have tried many masks in order to find the right one.

Here is the link to the sleepyhead software which reads the data from the SD card in your CPAP machine.

https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/

[Snoozeless]

I wonder if your humidifier is broken.

[JDS74]

As suggested, your humidifier may not be producing enough humidity. Is the humidifier tank empty or nearly empty in the morning? If not, then its not working properly.

Otherwise, it is possible, that you, like me, need a lot more humidity to avoid the dental problems.
Below is what I did to solve this problem. Although my machine is a Respironics and yours ResMed, the same solution will work.

BTW, a soft cervical collar will likely work better than the chin strap in keeping your mask from leaking excessively, which is another possibility. Take a look at the leak stats on your machine's LCD or get a copy of SleepyHead so that you can look at your therapy data and have a better idea of what is going on.

Link to external humidifier design:
Here is my setup to solve this problem.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Doodster, welcome.

Do you have to be a mouth breather due to an abnormality, or is it that you just mouth breath during sleep?

As you've found, a chin strap will not prevent exhaling through the mouth, no matter how tight, because air can still escape through closed teeth and past the lips. If the humidity suggestions above don't solve your problem and you have no abnormality that requires mouth breathing, you might try taping. A single strip of 1 or 2 inch wide paper surgical tape across the lips from side to side to keep them closed will prevent air from escaping and reduce the tendency for dryness, though it may not completely prevent it because of the possibility of CPAP air still entering the mouth from the back of the throat region. A mouth moisturizing product may still be needed.

Also, as suggested above, SleepyHead software might be helpful to see if there are other problems.

[LSAT]

Doodster, welcome.

Do you have to be a mouth breather due to an abnormality, or is it that you just mouth breath during sleep?

As you've found, a chin strap will not prevent exhaling through the mouth, no matter how tight, because air can still escape through closed teeth and past the lips. If the humidity suggestions above don't solve your problem and you have no abnormality that requires mouth breathing, you might try taping. A single strip of 1 or 2 inch wide paper surgical tape across the lips from side to side to keep them closed will prevent air from escaping and reduce the tendency for dryness, though it may not completely prevent it because of the possibility of CPAP air still entering the mouth from the back of the throat region. A mouth moisturizing product may still be needed.

Also, as suggested above, SleepyHead software might be helpful to see if there are other problems.

This is an unusual problem when using a FF mask.....I'm thinking that it is more a Humidifier problem.

[Jay Aitchsee]

Doodster, welcome.

Do you have to be a mouth breather due to an abnormality, or is it that you just mouth breath during sleep?

As you've found, a chin strap will not prevent exhaling through the mouth, no matter how tight, because air can still escape through closed teeth and past the lips. If the humidity suggestions above don't solve your problem and you have no abnormality that requires mouth breathing, you might try taping. A single strip of 1 or 2 inch wide paper surgical tape across the lips from side to side to keep them closed will prevent air from escaping and reduce the tendency for dryness, though it may not completely prevent it because of the possibility of CPAP air still entering the mouth from the back of the throat region. A mouth moisturizing product may still be needed.

Also, as suggested above, SleepyHead software might be helpful to see if there are other problems.

This is an unusual problem when using a FF mask.....I'm thinking that it is more a Humidifier problem.

Yes, I agree; unusual, but not unheard of. That's why my suggestion to try tape was offered rather (I thought) tentatively.

[Pugsy]

What humidity setting are you using?
And are you using a heated hose or the non heated hose?

[Doodster]

Thanks for all the suggestion. About the water level in my humidifier I do have to fill the water reservoir every night and it is heated. I have used different settings from 1 to the highest setting on the humidifier with no changes in my mouth dryness. The hose is not heated but I use an 8-foot long hose. I do have a stubby goatee which my cpap rep at the time said if I kept it short I shouldn’t have any issue which very well may be my issue. I do have leaks at times around my eyes but I tighten up the top of my mask and this usually stops it. I have always been a mouth breather but not from any health issue (my wife just says I have a big mouth lol). I hope I answered everyone’s questions oh and I will try the software out as you folks suggested. One question. Should I try a new type of mask and if so what type should I try? Again thanks to everyone.

[Pugsy]

Mouth breathing even with a full face mask (so no therapy pressure is lost) and even with the humidity setting to maximum sometimes just isn't enough to keep the mouth well hydrated for some people. We have numerous full face mask users on this forum complaining of dry mouth.
If you are using up the water then we know the humidifier is working.
The humidifier was designed to help hydrate the nasal cavity...not the oral cavity. It just can't put out that much moisture if a person happens to get dry mouth easier than other.

Why some people get dry mouth and not others...who knows..maybe meds play a factor or maybe they have some other health issue or maybe they are just unlucky.

That's why there are products out there for dry mouth. Biotene makes some products for dry mouth.
Orajel makes a product that a lot of forum members have good luck with. I forget the name of that product.

Only thing cpap wise I might suggest is to add the heated hose because it allows for more customization of that humidity level.
Without the heated hose the machine relies on an ambient room humidity sensor and it may not be cranking out as much moisture even at the maximum setting as you could get if you used a heated hose at the maximum humidity setting.
The reason I said this is because I used to have a PR S1 machine that didn't have the heated hose and the default setting for a non heated hose didn't put out enough moisture to keep my nose happy even at the maximum setting.

What machine are you using? If it is a Respironics machine there might be Classic mode available which will put out more moisture than the default mode even with no heated hose. It increases the chance for rain out though.

[Doodster]

Thanks - Pugsy I will invest in a new heated hose today.

[Grace~~~]

I accidentally added TheraBreath mouth wetting lozenges to my cpap routine.

Now I (OCD?) can't go to sleep without one.
I love the way it helps me keep my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and I like the shape it takes
throughout the night.

It tastes good.
I think maybe my mouth is wetter? (I'm not sure if it was dry)

They say "sugar free" but I still worry about the habit.
I've never had a cavity and my teeth are still one of the things that remain in great shape so I'd hate to
be doing something that changes that.

You may want to try?

[tan]

Doodster, welcome.

Do you have to be a mouth breather due to an abnormality, or is it that you just mouth breath during sleep?

As you've found, a chin strap will not prevent exhaling through the mouth, no matter how tight, because air can still escape through closed teeth and past the lips. If the humidity suggestions above don't solve your problem and you have no abnormality that requires mouth breathing, you might try taping. A single strip of 1 or 2 inch wide paper surgical tape across the lips from side to side to keep them closed will prevent air from escaping and reduce the tendency for dryness, though it may not completely prevent it because of the possibility of CPAP air still entering the mouth from the back of the throat region. A mouth moisturizing product may still be needed.

Also, as suggested above, SleepyHead software might be helpful to see if there are other problems.

This is an unusual problem when using a FF mask.....I'm thinking that it is more a Humidifier problem.

This is absolutely usual with FF mask. Even highest humidity may not necessary help. As Jay suggested, surgical tape may help. 3M/RiteAid generic waterproof tape from RiteAid applied vertically may be even better to pull one's chin up. Since the topic starter uses FFM, there is no pressure difference inside and outside the mouth, so partial vertical taping may do its job.

[ArmenDDS]

Hello Everyone I’m new to the community so any help is greatly appreciated. I have been using the ResMed S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier machine for little over a year now. I use the Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask and a chin strap as well because I am a mouth breather (yew) lol. The issue I am having is my mouth gets so dry it has caused a one of my teeth to come out and a couple crowns to break off my permanent teeth due to this dryness. I do use the chin strap and it does keep my mouth closed but as of now I have stopped the using my cpap, I do it. My dentist suggested I speak with the cpap rep where I purchased the machine about my problem, but as my luck goes they have gone out of business. If anyone can give me pointers or has had this problem maybe suggesting a different style mask what ever
please let me know Thanks.

i just posted about dry mouth on another thread and just found this
separate from that, is there anyway you can try a mask that does not place any strain on your lower jaw?
i have heard of some called Nasal Aire CPAP machines. you have lots of options

when you put the strap on your lower jaw and retrude the mandible, you block the air from flowing to the lungs. There is a lot more detail here, but just try to place the CPAP without engaging your lower jaw in any way

[tan]

i have heard of some called Nasal Aire CPAP machines. you have lots of options

if he is a mouth-breather, what are his "lots of options?". As a person who began using a nasal and switched to FFM (yet nose breathing), I didn't have those "lots of options".