More on Dry Mouth

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:55 am

madmat wrote:no ideas/insight/suggestions on my issue?

Welcome to the forum Madmat. If you fill out your profile, the experienced and learned can more easily answer your questions. If your are waking with dry mouth, you are very likely opening your mouth to breathe while asleep.

When using a full face mask, you need to make sure it fits well (ie. not too small). If the part that fits over the bridge of your nose sets too low, it will pinch off or restrict airflow through your nose and you will end up breathing through your mouth. Of course, you don’t want a full face mask to fit to large either or you will experience leaks. Full face masks are indeed the most difficult PAP interfaces to fit to the infinite combination of facial sizes and shapes.

You may start off with it properly fitted but as the night goes on your face will develop a build up of skin oil and the mask may slide down a bit and shut off the airflow through your nose (wash your face right before going to bed and maybe use an astringent too). Then there are toothpastes/mouth washes like Biotene that help those with chronic dry mouth should that be the source of your problem.

Best of luck!

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 4:02 pm

madmat wrote:no ideas/insight/suggestions on my issue?

madmat,

I am being repetitive now, but all the posts I have ever seen on this forum about cpap-related dry mouth indicated that breathing through the mouth was the cause. I assume you did not start taking any drugs that have dry mouth as a side effect.

All I can advise you is to try to determine if you are indeed breathing through your mouth at some point during the night. It is very common for cpap patients to breathe through their mouth (maybe as many as 40% of us). I breathe though my mouth and most nights I have bad dry mouth - still thinking this through but so far no good solution for me.

Good luck,

rooster

Swolcott · Post by **Swolcott** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:05 am

Madmat,

I had the same experience with the puffed cheeks when I first used the nasal mask and taped. I figured out that air leaked into my mouth if I didn't have my tongue in the right place. I have had to train myself to put my tongue behind my top teeth. That has seemed to do the trick.

Good Luck,
Sam

John Galt · Post by **John Galt** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 7:46 pm

Most of the comments have recommended a Full Face mask or mouth taping. My AHI dropped dramatically and my dry mouth resolved when I started using two chin straps. Yep, two at the same time. One wasn't strong enough to keep my mouth closed. I found a chin strap made of very soft material that is comfortable to wear, but it takes two of them to keep my mouth closed. Works well. (However, even though my AHI averages about 3.5, I'm still very tired, but my mouth is no longer dry.)

madmat · Post by **madmat** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:24 am

well, as i said before my mouth would be closed but my cheeks would be puffed out and full of air. i am starting to think that my tounge and/or jaw are dropping back and allowing my mouth to fill. i think my next step in investigation is going to be done at the dentist's office. maybe a dental appliance to hold everything in place is the answer.
thank you everyone for the suggestions.

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:50 am

I do experience some dry mouth when I'm wearing a full face mask, but less so when I'm using a nasal mask and tape. Since I'm breathing through both nose and mouth with the full face, that sort of makes sense.

However, when I'm wearing a nasal mask and taping my mouth, I always experience the blowfish phenomenon. My mouth sometimes gets a little dry there as well, but that sort of makes sense since the air that's being blown up my nose is also being diverted and circulated inside my mouth as well.

I guess what I'm suggesting is that it's possible you may have almost the same experience with or without full face mask. Maybe adjusting the humidity level might help some.

OCO

tcher1949 · Post by **tcher1949** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:49 am

I use the nasal mask and have been waking up in the morning (or sometimes 4am) with my mouth so dry that it hurts to move my tongue. I tape my mouth...is it possible that I'm blowing through the tape? Sometimes the edge of the tape is wet, I assume from drooling. I use Johnson & Johnson cloth 1" tape...anyone out there have another suggestion? Oh, by the way, my it doesn't seem to matter what setting my humidifier is on.

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:54 am

tcher1949 wrote:I use Johnson & Johnson cloth 1" tape...anyone out there have another suggestion? Oh, by the way, it doesn't seem to matter what setting my humidifier is on.

Best I've found is 3M Micropore 2" tape. You may have to look around for it, but I'm able to find it at most drugstores. Be sure to take it off s-l-o-w-l-y. Trust me on this.

OCO

doseydoe · Post by **doseydoe** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:08 am

I have just received my Respironics DS500 AUTO w/ CFLEX and using it with a ZZZfull face mask as I tend to breath through my mouth and nose .

After the 1st night the DS500 shows just under 4 hours of treatment 10pm - 2am . I would say not the most pleasent 4 hours sleep so I really need some advice .

1) My mouth was so dry it was quite unpleasent and needed to remove the mask to get some water . Do you think it may help to put a boiled sweet in my mouth while sleeping to stimulate saliva ?
2) I set the DS500 on auto with slow ramp up , The ramp up is good but I feel every now and again my breathing goes out of sync and I end out gasping .
3) The pressure feels like its going to blow my ear drums my ds500 is set at auto with a max pressure of 20 so will change that to say 7 tonight and see what happens .

I would say that even with only 4 hours treatment a dry mouth and splitting headache the tireness does feel slightly different . Oh my wife said she didnt even know I was there all night so thats a plus too .

Eugene

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