How to Avoid Dry Mouth from CPAP?

Open mouth while using CPAP

Open mouth causes a dry mouth even with CPAP

Dry mouth and its effect on a good night’s sleep tends to be a common problem for some CPAP users. A dry mouth or throat causes various nasal issues such as congestion and soreness, so it is wise that any CPAP user grasps the causes and remedies to help alleviate this issue.

Waking up with Dry Mouth While Using CPAP?

If you wake up with an open mouth while using CPAP, then air leakage may be happening around your mask. The leak leads to moisture escape and leaves your mouth parched.

Why CPAP Causes Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a regular occurrence for people who begin CPAP therapy simply because they are not accustomed to the pressurized air required to help open the air passage. Dry mouth is worse for people whose jaw drops open during sleep. This causes less efficient therapy because of leakage, leading to a dry mouth.

CPAP Dry Mouth Solved

There are a couple of solutions to aid the prevention of this type of problem. If you wear a nasal or nasal pillow mask, an easy solution would be to wear a chinstrap, which normally holds the jaw. Clenching the jaw shut will not only assist the effectiveness of therapy but also eliminate the causes of dry mouth.

A second solution would be a change to a full-face mask, which covers both the nose and mouth. Although, for some, having a full-face mask could be a bit claustrophobic or confining, it is a great solution to eliminate dry mouth. You do not have to wear full-face daily. Switching masks can be an effective solution.

The most reliable and comfortable solution to dry mouth is to use a humidifier, either heated or room temperature, along with your CPAP machine. Nearly all modern CPAP machines have integrated humidifiers. All of the best-selling auto CPAP machines contain either an integrated or optional attachable humidifier.

Wearing a full-face mask

A full face mask remedies a dry mouth

Humidification is essential when dealing with dry mouth symptoms since a humidifier can supply both warm and temperate room air. This will help nasal passages to stay hydrated. Hydrated breathing passages will help to combat colds, congestion, and sore throat.

If you are using a full-face mask and a CPAP machine with a heated humidifier and still experiencing dry mouth, it could be leaking. A wrongly-fitted CPAP mask, whether not sized correctly, the wrong style, a worn-out cushion, or poor headgear adjustment, can cause air leaks. If leakage occurs, dry air from the room can leak in while humidification escapes. The result is low humidification within the circuit, leading to dry throat and mouth. Most machines have a mask leak notification to help you troubleshoot this issue.

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