Tooth Decay

[Fazie7]

I started with the C-pap 3 months ago. This week my dentist discovered 3 cavities at my gum line above existing caps. The last time my teeth were cleaned was 6 months ago. I have not had a cavity in 20 years. The dentist suggested that perhaps the drying effect of the C-pap was the cause. He recommented ACT mouthwash before bed. Has anyone had decay problems?

[BlackSpinner]

I started with the C-pap 3 months ago. This week my dentist discovered 3 cavities at my gum line above existing caps. The last time my teeth were cleaned was 6 months ago. I have not had a cavity in 20 years. The dentist suggested that perhaps the drying effect of the C-pap was the cause. He recommented ACT mouthwash before bed. Has anyone had decay problems?

Actually tooth decay is a symptom of un treated OSA. The cause was probably pre cpap. Unless you are mouth breathing with a full face mask you don't get much of a dry mouth from cpap. Tell your dentist to get educated.

[roster]

I started with the C-pap 3 months ago. This week my dentist discovered 3 cavities at my gum line above existing caps. The last time my teeth were cleaned was 6 months ago. I have not had a cavity in 20 years. The dentist suggested that perhaps the drying effect of the C-pap was the cause. He recommented ACT mouthwash before bed. Has anyone had decay problems?

Which mask are you using?

[ozij]

The dentist is educated.
CPAP can dry your mouth.
It's at its worst when you mouth breathe with a nasal mask or nasal pillows mask.
It can happen when you mouth breahe with a full face mask too - not as bad in my experience.
The dryness can cause tooth decay.

Yes, it has been mentioned on the forum in the past.

O.

[jules]

I actually get more dry mouth with a FFM even with the humidity cranked up.

[rubymom]

Yes--my DME told me to be sure to mention it to my dentist. I did and she said to be very careful brushing before putting my mask on. She didn't mention a mouthwash, but I may try it just in case. I've been at this for almost a year now and haven't had any cavities, but I did have to have a root canal retreated and I wondered if it had an relation to CPAP.

[pdean44]

I learn something new every day here.

[gasparama]

Although I've not had decay, my dentist has found more tartar buildup than in the past. I sleep with my mouth taped and have no problem with dryness. The doctor's suggestion was to brush the minute I get up instead of waiting until after breakfast. I'll know in a few weeks if that clears up the problem.

[Janknitz]

I was a big mouth breather before CPAP and had a lot of tartar build up, especially on the back of my lower front teeth. I get cleanings every 3 months because of this.

I have surprised myself by being able to keep my mouth closed using a nasal mask with no leaks--all I do is put a little bit of Chapstick on my lips to sort of keep them passively closed.

So I hope this actually IMPROVES my dental issues because I'm not mouth breathing and waking up feeling like the Mojave Desert moved into my mouth overnight anymore.

I had a cleaning a few weeks ago, just after starting CPAP and the hygienist gave me a sample pack of some products that are supposed to help dry mouth. But I didn't try them because they contain Sorbitol and various flavorings I'm sensitive to. Ask you dentist about products if you use a FF mask and often have dry mouth.

BTW, the hygienist said my teeth looked "better than usual" and that was after only a few weeks of using a nasal mask.

[TheHappyhoser]

Please...Floss and brush! Don't eat sweets before bed, and for goodness sake don't look to blame something or someone for your poor oral hygine!

[MidnightOwl]

I've found my mouth getting dry at times even when using a full face mask so I don't believe leaks from mouth breathing are the only cause. And a dry mouth does make cavities and gum disease much more likely. It's certainly not about blaming cpap for bad oral hygiene. It's about warning people that the same old average, or even good, hygiene that's always worked for them before and that still works for other people won't be good enough anymore. Brushing your teeth is great but it's not likely to be enough if your mouth is dry at night.

[thewetlizard]

I guess I'm the complete oppisite. When I went to the dentist in Feb. I was told whatever I was doing keep it up. I'm kinda surprise because that was the first time in five years I've seen a dentist.

[jules]

I do get dry mouth as I mentioned above with a FFM and lots of rainout from humidity.

I do use Biotene rinse last thing at night as well as Biotene toothpaste in the morning (something else at night).

I have tried a product called OraMoist two nights with FFM now (I bought these back in Dec) - don't care for something else in my mouth at night. It is a tablet / patch you stick on the roof of your mouth to keep moisture in for a few hours. I am not advertising it - just say someone created it and maybe someone else has tried it or will critique it. I found it at Rite Aid online (so drugstore.com) but Amazon had it listed I know. http://www.quantumhealth.com/productgro ... tment.html

[RipVW]

Had a similar experience. Open mouth is the culprit. Got to keep your mouth closed to prevent the dry mouth that leads to greater risk of tooth decay.

[BlackSpinner]

I haven't had a dry mouth since starting cpap - even with a full face mask. Before that for the last few years I was waking up with a dried out sponge called a tongue filling my mouth. I would gargle with water, hold it in my mouth until it shrank. Then cough up dried saliva for a half an hour. My teeth dramatically decayed in the 5 years pre cpap - lost a few. There was one cavity (and an older tooth with went ballistic at Christmas) this year.
Now I whip my mask off, get up and feed the animals and me.

A proper cpap therapy will decrease tooth decay. If your mouth is dry there is a problem.