Dry Mouth With CPAP: What to Do About It

If you wear a CPAP machine to bed, you might be familiar with the dry mouth it causes in the morning. While you need the machine to sleep, it must be frustrating to wake up with dry and cracked lips every day! Plus, it eventually leads to a very sore throat.

Luckily, there are ways to manage it and even make it stop. Our staff at CPAP Liquidators is here to tell you how! So, instead of giving up on CPAP therapy, just keep reading.

Keep Your Body Hydrated

Prevent dehydration by ensuring your body is always well-hydrated. It’s one of the best ways to ward off dry mouth from a CPAP machine.

Make sure you’re drinking enough water to meet your body’s needs. To calculate that amount in ounces, multiply your weight by ⅔. Factor in how active you are, too. You might also consider drinking a couple of extra glasses before bed to prevent dryness with CPAP.

Use a Full Face Mask

The type of CPAP mask you use could influence your dry mouth problem. Nasal masks allow air to escape from your mouth, which leads to it drying out. If you think this is the case for you, try switching to a full-face kind.

A full-face CPAP mask is as effective as any other kind. And because it covers your mouth, you don’t have to worry about any stubborn dry mouth!

Sleep With a Humidifier On

Another way to stop dry mouth on CPAP is by using a humidifier. Add one near your bed so you don’t have to breathe in dry and stale air at night.

A humidifier produces warm and humid air in the room it’s in. This type of air is perfect for relieving congestion and eliminating dry mouth. Plus, because it’s humid air, your throat won’t dry out from mouth breathing.

Check Your Mask for Leaks

Whether you have used CPAP equipment or brand new, leaks are possible with the masks. Check if yours has one because this could be the cause of your dry mouth problem. Your sleeping position could also play a role in how the mask fits.

If your mask fits properly but still leaks, it’s time to replace it. 

Dry mouth and a sore throat are common side effects of using a CPAP machine. It might even get annoying enough to convince you to quit using it altogether! But before you do, try using this guide to figure out if you can prevent the dry mouth from happening.

If you discover it’s time to get new CPAP supplies, let our specialists at CPAP Liquidators help! Shop at our online store for the largest selection of discounted and refurbished CPAP and BiPAP machines.