How to Eliminate Dry Mouth When Using CPAP?

stop cpap sore throatDry mouth and the associated effect on a full night’s sleep appear to be a common problem for some CPAP users. Dry mouth or throat causes multiple nasal issues, such as congestion and soreness, so any CPAP patient must know the causes and solutions for this problem.

Do you wake up with a Dry Mouth When using CPAP?

If you wake up with a dry mouth when using CPAP, air leakage can be occurring around your mask. A leak allows moisture to leak out, leaving the mouth parched. Nasal pillow masks and the normal nasal masks are masks most widely used to treat a dry mouth.

Why CPAP Causes Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common phenomenon for people who are only beginning CPAP therapy simply because they are not using the pressurized air needed to help clear the air route. Dry mouth is caused by people who are not able to keep their jaws closed during sleep. Not only does this give rise to much less effective treatment due to leakage, but also triggers dry mouth.

CPAP Dry Mouth Solution

There are a few solutions to help avoid this kind of crisis. If you use a nasal pillow mask, an easy alternative would be to use a chinstrap that effectively keeps the jaw in place. Holding the jaw shut would not only serve to make the treatment successful, it will also tackle the causes of dry mouth.

Chinstraps can help secure the jaw in place, avoiding backpressure and a dry mouth.

A second option would be to turn to a full facial mask, shielding both the nose and the lips. While wearing a full face mask may be a little confined to some people, it’s a perfect way to relieve dry mouth. In reality, you don’t have to wear a full face every day. Using different types of masks can be an efficient remedy.

The most effective and convenient remedy for dry mouth is to use a hot or room temperature humidifier for your CPAP unit. Almost all modern CPAP machines have incorporated humidifiers. In reality, all best-selling auto CPAP machines have either an integrated or removable and adjustable humidifier.

Humidifiers are perfect add-ons to any CPAP setup.

cpap causing sore throatHumidification is key when coping with problems of dry mouth since the humidifier can deliver both warm and room-temperature air. At The CPAP Store, we still consider using a humidifier to add a slight amount of humidity to the airflow. This would allow the nasal passages to remain hydrated. Hydrated ventilation passages can help fight colds, coughing, and sore throats.

If you use both a respirator mask and a CPAP machine with a heated humidifier and still have a dry mouth, the mask can be leaking. The improper CPAP mask – if not correctly sized, incorrect style, damaged cushion, or bad headgear adjustment – can cause air leakage. If leakage occurs, the dry air in the room can leak into the mask while the moisture leaks out.

As a result, humidification inside the circuit is decreased, resulting in dry throat and mouth. Many machines have a mask leak warning to help you solve this problem. Check the information on the device to validate the leakage of the mask.

In addition to factors affecting the CPAP system and mask, dry mouth may also be triggered or exacerbated by dehydration. General advice to drink 8 oz. A glass of water a day could be too little for a lot of people. When people drink large quantities of coffee or other caffeine drinks or even sweat a lot during the day, their need for water can increase. Rehydration is an essential component of CPAP treatment.

Get the best CPAP cleaner today

Even after you’ve narrowed down your options, there’s bound to be a bit of trial-and-error in finding what works for you. That’s why Best CPAP cleaners offer you the best advice to prevent sore throat, dry mouth, and related symptoms. You can reach out to us at any time to discuss mask fit tips at (855) 275-89 or email us at [email protected] if you have a question about CPAP cleaners. 

References and Resources

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