CPAP and periodontal disease

[EveOett]

I’m looking for good information on the correlation between CPAP use and periodontal disease. If there is one, are there solutions (e.g. type of mask or machine?). Thanks!

[ChicagoGranny]

Dry mouth will cause a lot of dental and gum problems. The mouth needs to be kept moist. If you are experiencing dry mouth, you need to let us know, so we can suggest some remedies.

[djams]

Dry mouth will cause a lot of dental and gum problems. The mouth needs to be kept moist. If you are experiencing dry mouth, you need to let us know, so we can suggest some remedies.

Welcome back Granny. I've kinda got a thang for this pic.

CG.jpg (15.04 KiB) Viewed 1422 times

[Dog Slobber]

Welcome back Granny. I've kinda got a thang for this pic.

I love that picture (of CG???). That women is drop-dead gorgeous.

[ChicagoGranny]

I ran away from the circus to come back here.

[djams]

Welcome back Granny. I've kinda got a thang for this pic.

I love that picture (of CG???). That women is drop-dead gorgeous.

Indeed. I believe the era appropriate statement would be "wowza wowza!"

[D.H.]

Obviously, one should practice good dental hygiene (CPAP or not, Sleep Apnea or not). Infections and poor hygiene could potentially interfere with CPAP therapy.

[Dog Slobber]

I ran away from the circus to come back here.

Thought you looked familiar.

CG_circus.jpg

[jnk...]

Many with untreated moerate-to-severe OSA are long-time mouth-breathers. And . . .

Open-mouth breathing can dry out your gums and the tissue lining your mouth, leading to a change in the natural bacteria, which can promote gum disease and tooth decay. -- https://www.health.harvard.edu/oral-hea ... tal-health

Learning to breathe through my nose during sleep solved my gum problems within two years.

[TheDuke]

I really don't think that CPAP treatment has a connection to dental diseases at least for me. I have used CPAP since 1987 (Part of that time with BiLevel) and have never experienced any dental diseases.Before I was ordered to have a heated humidifier I did occasionally have dry mouth problems and nasal congestion, but no longer. When I was first fitted with a mask, I wasn't aware of any CPAP humidifiers, but in 2006 a new to me doctor insisted that I have a heated humidifier kit for my then-trusty Respironics "Tank". I am still grateful to him, and still see him!

TheDuke

[chunkyfrog]

Diet and dental hygiene has far more bearing on periodontal health than cpap.

[EveOett]

Thanks so much for the insights. At my recent visit for a regular dental cleaning, I am suddenly needing a deep cleaning for the first time, and had some discussion with the dentist about the possible implications of the CPAP in early periodontal disease. Yes, I’ve been a mouth breather and tooth grinder forever. Add the CPAP on top of that. I was interested in comparing notes with all of you. Thanks, the group always helps.

[Janknitz]

I think there are times when CPAP can be a cause of dental issues. Dry mouth is one of them, so learning, even in a full face mask if possible, to breathe through your nose and seal off mouth by keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth is important if you possibly can (some people cannot). Good nasal hygiene to minimize difficulties with nasal congestion is helpful before bed, too. Using a humidifier is like trying to fill the ocean with a thimble if you are mouth breathing, IMHO. It can't keep up. I'm not saying don't use a humidifier, but it's not enough.

You can also try to hydrate your tissues during the day by drinking plenty of water. The more hydrated you are overall, the less that mouth breathing will have an effect.

There are some products that are supposed to help you keep your mouth moist but I'm squeamish about them.

I had an issue with teeth shifting from pressure from a FF mask. That in turn caused crowding of a couple of teeth that it's really hard to floss between, so I have to pay extra attention to that area doing my flossing and brushing.

[EveOett]

Thanks for these good insights