CPAP Dry Mouth

Sleep Apnea Guide >> CPAP Side Effects >> CPAP dry mouth


Dry mouth is a common problem in CPAP therapy for patients with sleep apnea. This CPAP side effect is so unbearable that many patients quit their treatment, searching for alternative treatments.

Dry mouth is a common problem not only in patients with CPAP, but also in those with oral appliances, in those with other health problems like snoring, bruxism, narcolepsy or nasal congestion.

Why do some people find that their mouth dries out during the night when they wear a CPAP?

Dry mouth usually results from sleeping with the mouth open. Sometimes it is because the nose is congested and the CPAP airflow cannot get through. Or sometimes it's just a simple habit.

Nonetheless, if you use CPAP, you need to find a solution to sleep with your mouth closed in the most comfortable way. If you are leaking the CPAP air out your mouth, you really will have to get this problem solved.

You've got to get that air going where it can really do the job. Air detouring out the mouth won't keep the throat open, and your CPAP therapy is useless.

Here are the most common solutions to avoid CPAP dry mouth:

• If you have dry mouth and a stuffy nose, you may want to discuss your nasal obstructions with your sleep specialist. In this situation, CPAP therapy won't work for you.




• Heated humidification is very important in a successful CPAP therapy without dry mouth problems. Sleep doctors belive that everyone should benefit from heated humidification, especially those with mid to high range pressures.

I hope you are using your humidifier, and remember, it's the moisture you want, not necessarily the heat. Some patients with successful CPAP treatment, keep their heat settings only on 2, even on their high pressure.

However, they could not tolerate the nasal lining dryness without humidification.




• Keeping a glass of water by the bedside is another good idea.




• If the open mouth is a sleeping habit, you may want to try a full face mask, which covers both nose and mouth.

  Don't be afraid to try a full face mask. Your goal is to make CPAP work, and it's a dance between the mask and accurate pressure setting.

  If you prefer a nasal mask or a nasal pillow, you can try using a chin strap to help keep your mouth closed.





• there are effective therapies for dry mouth, and the best treatment for CPAP users with dry mouth problems is XyliMelts.

  The good news is that it has adhering disc technology which means you can even use XyliMelts while you sleep.

  The product is new on the market, but you will find on their website testimonials from CPAP users.




• You can use a CPAP chin strap by Respironics to keep your mouth closed during sleep. You can also try making your own to see if a chin strap will help. Just cut the leg off a panty hose tights, put your chin in the middle and tie the ends above your head.




• maybe you heard about the candy trick to avoid CPAP dry mouth problem. The patient uses a nasal mask or nasal pillow with his CPAP machine, and he also sleeps with a piece of hard sugar free candy in his mouth that makes him sleep with his mouth closed.

  If you think that the candy is a good idea to stop your dry mouth problem, please think again. Even if the candy trick works, sucking on candy during sleep should be your last option.

  Leaving anything in your mouth that is smaller than say a golf ball when you are going to sleep is extremely dangerous. The candy can lodge way down in the airway where it would be almost impossible to clear it. The problem is that it can cause you to black out before you fully wake up and then death would ensue.

  Think about it! Remember that just because nothing has happened yet, doesn't mean that it can't or won't hurt you.

  However, you can do the candy trick when you are awake and you feel your mouth dry.

A proper, comfortable, relatively leak free mask is the key to successful CPAP compliance and therapy, without dry mouth problems. Too high a leak rate can drive up your provided pressure.

So I would double check to make sure that you are getting a proper seal especially if you have autopap. The autopap may be trying to compensate for leaks and over compensating. It's also possible that your CPAP level is too high.

Double check your settings and see if they are correct. If so, then you may need to see your doctor about the possibility of adjusting your levels.

The cpap dry mouth is in fact that you are blowing air through your mouth. Even with a heated humidifier the volume of air blown to try and maintain the CPAP levels goes through the humidifier too fast to really pick up any moisture.

CPAP is a challenge and for some of us a very difficult one, but the challenges can be met and over come, so have faith, you can and will master the CPAP treatment and its CPAP dry mouth problems.

It just might take you some time. Be patient, especially with yourself, and with determination and perseverance, and a positive attitude you will prevail.

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