Dried Mouth / Throat

[davyjoe]

Hi,

'Am using a CPAP (Resmed S7 Elite). Many times I wake up in the morning my mouth & throat are super-dry. I'm wondering what might be the cause of it. Please send me your comments or opinions. Thanks.

[esrepairman]

Most likely your mouth is opening during the night, and as the pressure escapes through your mouth, it evaporates most of the moisture in your mouth. Try a chinstrap or a full face mask.

[davyjoe]

Thanks for the quick response...I appreciate it esrepairman

[OpalRose]

Hi,

'Am using a CPAP (Resmed S7 Elite). Many times I wake up in the morning my mouth & throat are super-dry. I'm wondering what might be the cause of it. Please send me your comments or opinions. Thanks.

Hi davyjoe and Welcome to Apnea Board,
I know that feeling....like cotton in your mouth, and you think you will never talk again.

You are definetly mouth breathing. Once you fall asleep, you become relaxed and your jaw probably drops.

I used a chin strap for awhile and it did help, but the thing that helped the most was the "tongue to roof of mouth trick."

Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth, with the tip of tongue behind front teeth, then suck upwards gently. This allows your tongue to form a seal at the back of your throat and no air escapes.

This takes some practice, but does work for most. I used my chin strap until I mastered this, now don't need a chin strap and my mouth stays shut, at least at night. :grin:

The other thing is to be sure you have enough humidity.

[trish6hundred]

Hi davyjoe,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more suggestions and much success to you as you continue your CPAP therapy.

[Jim Bronson]

Biotene mouthwash at bedtime can help with the dryness a little.

[JudgeMental]

Most CPAP'rs will at one time or another face this malady, however the remedies are usually an ez fix. First of all, for starters, is usually the chin strap fix. This is a bit of trial and error as there are different type of straps and some work better then other with certain type of masks and headgear.. The "tongue to roof" is surefire but takes some training before it becomes second nature. You don't have to be using a CPAP to start your training with your tongue. When you start to say something smart to your wife..Thats a good time to start training.

[zonk]

The "tongue to roof" is surefire but takes some training before it becomes second nature.

I recall JudgeMental telling me about the tongue trick some years ago in the old forum
I haven't been a good student but its true ... practice makes perfect

[OpalRose]

The "tongue to roof" is surefire but takes some training before it becomes second nature.

I recall JudgeMental telling me about the tongue trick some years ago in the old forum
I haven't been a good student but its true ... practice makes perfect

I remember finding an article online on excercises to strengthen the tongue and throat muscles. This was before I started CPAP...... Just waiting for my machine.

The article said to place tip of tongue to roof of mouth behind front teeth, and without lifting tongue away from roof of mouth, slowly slide it toward the back of your throat.....as far back as you can and hold it there for a count of 10, then slide tongue slowly forward. Repeat several times.

At the time, I never even heard of the "tongue to roof of mouth trick" to control leaks.

Anyway, I think those excercises helped me adapt faster. Now if I could just excercise the rest of my body. :grin: