Dry Mouth

I have been using CPAP for about six years and have recently developed a problem. I use a nasal mask, sleep on my back (occasionally rolling on my side for a short time) and use a chin strap to try to keep my mouth shut. My CPAP machine also has a humidifier with heat. Recently I've been waking up during the night and my mouth is so dry and cold that it takes me awhile to build up enough saliva to be able to swallow. I've tried a nasal pillow with the same results and also have a full face mask but it always "leaks". I like it the best but when it leaks, I wake up. Any suggestions on how to stop the dry mouth problem?

Do you think you are mouth breathing? Do you have a way to find out? I use a nasal pillow mask and tape. I just need a very little piece of 1" medical paper tape vertically across the middle of my lips since, it appears, I just need a small reminder to "keep my mouth shut!" It is also something I developed after 5 years on cpap.

I am prone to dry mouth during the day as well because of some meds I must take.

I use a mouthwash called "Biotene' a couple of times a day (one of those times is just at bedtime). I'm Canadian but I think Biotene is available in the US as well, asuming that is where you are. This seems to help me. Hope it helps you.

I am a mouth breather and that is supposedly what the chin strap is supposed to stop. If it does, I could'nt tell one way or the other.

Sounds like your CPAP pressure is too high. You might want to lower it just a notch or two and see if this condition improves. I was waking up with headaches because my body was trying to hold back the pressure at the top of my throat and when it failed, i opened my mouth because it's the path of least resistance. If you lower your setting, i would guess you would have more control of the back of your throat. Just my $.02 worth.

I wouldn't change settings just yet ... first thing you have to do is take care of mouth leaks. Dry mouth = mouth leaks. Chinstraps quite often do not work cuz air just escapes through your flapping lips.

Some folks tape their lips together, some use polygrip to glue them together, others are able to train/exercise their soft upper pallate and firm it up to seal off nasal cavity from mouth, and some just end up getting a full face mask.

Fix the leaks before making pressure changes else you end up like a dog chasing its tail and lose lots of time and energy.

I do the soft pallet trick mentioned above. Took a while to get it right but when i fall asleep i sort of swallow hard removing exzcess air in the back of my throat and i create a seal using my tounge on the top of my throat right at the soft pallet. Man, it's hard to explain but think of it as sucking through a straw but without the straw. If you suck a few times. you create a pressure lock. I have been able to do it without thinking and i keep my mouth shut all night long now. If i wake up, just repeat the process. Youll get the hang of it.

sheltie wrote: ......... Any suggestions on how to stop the dry mouth problem?

You are probably leaking air out your mouth or breathing through your mouth. In either case your machine is unlikely to be able to maintain the necessary pressure in your airway. Then you have apneas.

Try a full face mask again. Let us know which ff mask you have and someone here can probably give you tips on preventing leaks. Often people have to try a few masks before they find one that works for them.

Rooster - Looks like a typical spoiled sheltie to me!

My full face masks, which leaks like a sieve, is a ResMed Mirage Quattro. I really like it but can't get by a couple of hours before it starts leaking.

I'm pretty sure my chin strap is not what allows my mouth to open as I can't open my mouth with the chin strap on when I'm awake, much less when I'm asleep. I tried to increase the heat/humidity last night for my nasal mask and got the same old results.

sheltie wrote:Rooster - Looks like a typical spoiled sheltie to me!

My full face masks, which leaks like a sieve, is a ResMed Mirage Quattro. I really like it but can't get by a couple of hours before it starts leaking.

I'm pretty sure my chin strap is not what allows my mouth to open as I can't open my mouth with the chin strap on when I'm awake, much less when I'm asleep. I tried to increase the heat/humidity last night for my nasal mask and got the same old results.

Try this. Clench your teeth fimly together and try to blow air out of your lips. We can all blow the air through. The point is, even if a chin strap can lock your jaw shut, air can move in and out between the lips. Chin straps did not work for me for this reason.

I have a Quattro and don't like it. I have used a Hybrid mask every night for the last 30 months and I have a Fischer & Paykel 432 for taking naps. Both of these are full face masks.

Study the full face masks on cpap.com and the manufacturers' websites. Maybe you can visit your local DME or sleep lab to try on a few. I am very enthusiastic about the Hybrid but every mask on the market has its lovers and its haters. Unfortunately most people have to spend time and money to try a few different masks before they find one that suits them.

Whatever mask you try if you have problems make a new post here and lovers of that mask can help with adjustment tips. I certainly would be glad to help you if you choose a Hybrid.

Hang in there.

Hello, sheltie.

Recently started having the same experience.

No change in equipment since 1999. The dentist gave me Biotene, Hawthorne. I do the soft palette trick, Neal.

But still, this very dry mouth thing.

Why?

I've come up with a new, simple exercise that might help. I'll post it sometime tomorrow if it works as well fo me as it has the last few nights, but I'd like one more chance to see if my success was only a fluke. Stay tuned.

Chin straps did not work for me at all! I had to start taping. And that was the answer.
Dry mouth equals mouth breathing .

Squilla wrote:Hello, sheltie.

Recently started having the same experience.

No change in equipment since 1999. The dentist gave me Biotene, Hawthorne. I do the soft palette trick, Neal.

But still, this very dry mouth thing.

Why?

It is harder to venture an educated guess when we don't know what mask you use. Fill out the equipment profile.

Most common cause is breathing through mouth.

Couldn't find my machine and humidifier on the list...so they're under "comments" in the profile.

Resmed S6 Lightweight, Sullivan heated humidifier, UltraMirage nasal face mask.

No leaks; my husband hasn't seen me breathing through my mouth. I asked him to keep an eye out (he's awake a lot, poor dear). No medications.

Squilla wrote: ..... UltraMirage nasal face mask.

....

Assuming there are no other health problems or medications and despite hubby's observations, odds are at least ten to one that you are breathing or leaking through your mouth. Very common problem. See my post just above.