Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

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PolarBear427 12/01/2011

Hi,

I already did a search for "Dry Mouth" and came up with some answers, but they are ones I've already tried and are dated, so ...

I have problems with a very dry mouth, especially now that it is winter and our heater is on. I have a CPAP with a humidifier and have it turned up, but it isn't helping. I wear a facemask and I use Chapstick and put a little lotion in the end of my nostrils. I also use Biotene spray, 5 sprays or so before bed and each time I wake up. I have used the oral rinse before also, both don't seem to help much.

I'm considering buying a humidifier for the bedroom, maybe a cool mist humidifier. Anyone have luck with this?

Any suggestions? I'm afraid I'm going to wind up with more expensive cavities. I already had to have one filled that involved re-doing a bridge, very expensive!

Thank you!!!

Sheri

Liz1961 12/01/2011

Well, you've tried everything I was going to suggest. Only other things I can think of would be is the heater vent blowing directly on you? If so see if you can turn the vents the other direction.
I live in a desert setting and our furnace dries the air out something awful, so we do use a room humidifier which helps and we also set the furnace at about 63 during the night which keeps it from coming on much.
Sorry, wish I could offer better suggestions.

deleted_user 12/02/2011

Ha, that's everything I was going to suggest too. Good luck!

Tez62 12/02/2011

Sheri, I went to the dentist this week for a checkup for the first time since I have been on CPAP and he asked whether I was getting dry mouth because lack of saliva can cuase problems with you teeth. I got dry mouth when I started using CPAP but don't anymore. As you use a face mask I assume you are a mouth breather which may not help the dry mouth. I wear a chinstrap and are trying to train myself to breath through my nose. I'm in Australia and have the opposite problem with humidity. I feel it worse in summer which we are coming into now. I have bought a small fan and run it through the night to try to keep the air circulating. Not much you doing that if you have the heater on. Good luck and keep us posted.

harry3333 12/02/2011

dry mouth is often caused by mouth breathing with a nose only mask, you need to tape the lips to stop it

deleted_user 12/04/2011

Try Medipore medical tape on your mouth. I get a dry mouth when I don't use it and from what I read it defeats the purpose of your CPAP if you are breathing through your mouth. I was told at the sleep study that my jaw relaxes and drops open when I go into a deep sleep. I tried the chin strap but I think I still ended up breathing through my mouth. I tried the full face mask but had too many issues with it.

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