wake up at 3AM with dry and crusty mouth

[sleepless in florida]

why do I wake up with a dry and crusty mouth? I have a full face mask and have tried diff settings on the humidifier.

[YouMaySayImaDreamer]

Well, having never tried a full mask, I have no idea, but I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts.

I do, though, have a nice long drink before the gear goes on and keep water at bedside.

[bdp522]

Using a full face mask will ensure treatment if you breathe thru your mouth. But it will still allow the mouth to dry out. A chin strap may help hold the mouth closed so it isn't so dry in the a.m.. As a quick test you might want to tape your mouth for 1 nite just to see how much difference it makes.

Brenda

[CollegeGirl]

To add to what the lovely Brenda said, that crustiness is dried saliva, aka dried drool. Gross, I know. (I only know because I was definitely not exempt from that...uh... "feature" when I used to use a full face mask. Blech!)

[LinkC]

that crustiness is dried saliva, aka dried drool.

On the plus side...it's lighter, less bulky, and easily re-constituted--just add water!

[Tom Holsinger]

The real question is whether you have the same dry mouth condition without using the CPAP. If so, and I have that condition - it seems to have caused the recurrence of my sleep apnea, you may well have an autoimmune disorder. Salivary deficiency, dry eye and nasal congestion at night, especially any two of the three together, are indications of an autoimmune disorder.

There are medications, such as Evoxac, which can alleviate dry mouth, but those are expensive and have potentially serious side effects. Insurance companies will balk at paying for them absent an autoimmune diagnosis, and insurers also resist referrals to rheumatologists who can diagnose autoimmune disorders.

So, if you can afford to go a night without use of your sleep equipment, try it and see if you have dry mouth in the morning. If that is the case, you very likely have an autoimmune disorder which is at least a contributory factor to your sleep disorder. It might even be the cause.

[harry33]

some using a FF mask 'open wide' in sleep so breaking the airseal and losing CPAP benefits, a chinstrap stops this

[Catatrina]

I have heard a a lot lately on this subject of dry mouth in the forum period. I use FF Quattro mask and/or Forma FF mask, at one time I took medications which had a tendency
to dry out my mouth but no longer have to take some of the medications I use to but I still practice some oral hygiene that I did prior which is using Biotene toothpaste and
I use the Biotene mouthwash before putting on my mask, I swish the mouthwash around in my mouth for about 2 minutes and spit it out and put on the mask. I never have dry mouth
problems when using Biotene (its also good for wear and tear on the teeth too). You can find this stuff at Target, Wal-Mart or drug store sell it but usually more expensive.
Its great stuff. Believe me it works! Good luck

Catatrina

[sleepless in florida]

Thank you so much for your responses. Catatrina, I am going to Target tomorrow to get the biotene toothpaste. If that doesn't work I will look into a chin strap. I don't know if I can tape my mouth at this point with a FF quattro.

I don't have a dry mouth without the CPAP machine when I wake up.

Thanks again for all of your helpful advice and comments. It makes one feel so much better to know that others share the same or similar issues.

Carol

[Jason S.]

I was really bad before CPAP but now its much better though still dry in the morning. Just gargle with mouthwash and go back to bed.

[BlackSpinner]

I too was much much worse before cpap. I would wake up feeling choked by my dried out tongue. Would sit there with a mouth full of water until I was re-hydrated.

It is much better on cpap, especially with the humidifier. If I still wake up with a dry mouth it is usually because I rolled on my back or my sinuses are acting up.. I just have a glass of water beside my bed and rinse my mouth. I wouldn't tape, get a hose cover and turn up the humidity and sleep on your side.

[sleepless in florida]

Is the humidifier on my machine regulated by the dail on the left 1-5?

[Pugsy]

Is the humidifier on my machine regulated by the dail on the left 1-5?

If your humidifier looks like the one I have in my profile, then yes, dial on the left 1-5 is adjustment dial for the humdifier. 1 being lowest 5 being the highest.

[sleepless in florida]

what number do you keep your humidifier on?