saliva is anti-decay, if CPAP causes dry mouth, Will it..

[williamco]

Saliva is protective to teeth and it has enzymes that are anti decay. if CPAP causes dry mouth at most of the night, would it theoretically or actually increase tooth decay?
any observations on rate of tooth decay after starting CPAP therapy versus prior?!

[elena88]

My dentist informed me that dry mouth can cause gingivitis in your gums, and if your gums arent happy, youre teeth arent going to be either.

[Kevin G.]

My dentist said that dry mouth can cause higher rates of decay.

[Janknitz]

I was a mouth breather before CPAP and had a lot of problems. Now, with a nasal pillow mask, I sleep with my mouth closed and I'm not all dried out. Hygienist says my teeth and gums look better.

If you are getting optimal CPAP therapy with adequate humidification, you should not be mouth breathing and getting dry mouth on CPAP. It's worth working on this so that you don't cause problems for your gums and teeth.

Dentists have samples of some product for treating dry mouth, Biotene, I think (can't remember for sure). I didn't use it because I'm sensitive to sorbitol. Ask your dentist for a sample.

[Hawthorne]

I use Biotene mouthwash and rinse my mouth with it every night after I brush my teeth. It's a mouthwash for dry mouth.

Works for me! Might help you!

[BlackSpinner]

Like Janknitz I was a mouth breather before cpap - Woke up with a dried out sponge called a tongue every morning, My teeth in the last 5 years have dramatically decayed. Now I don't mouth breath any more and I am hoping that the dentist will not be earning a new summer cottage from my dental work any more.