It is fairly common for people with obstructive sleep apnea to breathe through their mouths. Sincecontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)is the most recommended, and effective, treatment for this condition, it is natural to question: Can I use CPAP if I mouth breathe and avoid a dry mouth? Learn whether this is possible and discover what accommodations might allow you to use CPAP without difficulty.
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Why CPAP Users So Often Mouth Breathe
Our airway works best when we consistently breathe through our nose. This decreases evaporation that can contribute to dry mouth. It also strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including those that line the throat. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, the default option is to breathe through your mouth. Many people with sleep apnea have an obstruction within the nose that leads to increased mouth breathing. What are the effects of this?
Over time,persistent mouth breathingmay cause changes in our airway’s anatomy. The muscles of the jaw relax to allow the mouth to be open.
The tissues lining the nasal passage may also become swollen with the vibration of snoring. In some cases, this may cause the nasal passage to close further. As a result, it becomes even more difficult to breathe through the nose and more mouth breathing occurs. This can worsen sleep apnea as well as snoring.
When the mouth opens, the jaw becomes free to move and it may shift the tongue back into the throat, especially when sleeping on the back.Although mouth breathing is a common characteristic among those with sleep apnea, many will find that sufficient airflow delivered via CPAP can open the nose up. This may require some accommodations.
When It’s the Nose That Leads to a Dry Mouth
Oral medications may be used to treat allergic rhinitis. Some are available over-the-counter, such as Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine), and others require a prescription such as Singulair (montelukast).
Nasal steroid sprays can also be helpful. They work as an intranasal glucocorticoid, coating the lining of the nose and decreasing the allergic reaction.These steroid sprays can reduce the swelling of the tissues in the nose calledturbinates. Some are now available over the counter without a prescription, including Nasacort and Flonase. There are also multiple other prescription options including:
It can also be helpful to consider surgery if your anatomy is contributing to the obstruction. A deviated nasal septum may be corrected with septoplasty and enlarged nasal turbinates can be reduced in size with radiofrequency ablation.
Alternatives to Avoid Mouth Breathing on CPAP
If you are trying to use CPAP, you should ensure that you use your heated humidifier at an optimal setting. Adjust it to maximize the amount of moisture delivered to your nose. Water that is left in the tank in the morning does you no good; instead, get as much as you can delivered through your mask overnight. It can also be helpful to useheated tubingto avoid condensation within the tubing.
If your mouth falls open with a nasal mask, you may experience extreme dry mouth. You may awake in the morning with your tongue as dry as the Sahara desert. If this happens consistently, consider using achinstrapto support your jaw and keep your mouth closed. In addition, you may consider switching to a full-face mask that covers both your nose and mouth. This will prevent air from escaping from your mouth as it will all be on the same circuit.
Occasional dryness may be tolerated. Simply drinking a little water or using rinses like Biotene to improve oral dryness may be used. However, if you experience consistent dry mouth in the morning upon awakening, you should speak with your equipment provider or sleep specialist about the options available to you.
You should not need to drink water in the night or wake with a parched mouth in the morning. If it is a frequent problem, this dryness could lead to damage to your teeth or gums. Therefore, it is important to find a solution that prevents mouth breathing on CPAP, which may require looking to treatments to open up your nose.
The good news is that many people who were mouth breathers previously are able to adapt and with CPAP can breathe better through their nose both day and night.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNo, you should not breathe through your mouth with or without a CPAP machine. Mouth breathing weakens airway anatomy and can cause breathing to stop and start repeatedly through the night.A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine provides a steady flow of oxygen into your nose. This helps keep your airways open so you can breathe normally, without apneic episodes or snoring.If you are using a CPAP but waking up with a dry mouth, you are likely breathing through your mouth in your sleep.The easiest way to keep your mouth closed while using a CPAP machine is to use a chin strap.Yes, a full-face mask that covers both your nose and mouth is often recommended for people who breathe through their mouth. The mask prevents air from escaping from your mouth and also helps to prevent dry mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you should not breathe through your mouth with or without a CPAP machine. Mouth breathing weakens airway anatomy and can cause breathing to stop and start repeatedly through the night.A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine provides a steady flow of oxygen into your nose. This helps keep your airways open so you can breathe normally, without apneic episodes or snoring.If you are using a CPAP but waking up with a dry mouth, you are likely breathing through your mouth in your sleep.
No, you should not breathe through your mouth with or without a CPAP machine. Mouth breathing weakens airway anatomy and can cause breathing to stop and start repeatedly through the night.
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine provides a steady flow of oxygen into your nose. This helps keep your airways open so you can breathe normally, without apneic episodes or snoring.
If you are using a CPAP but waking up with a dry mouth, you are likely breathing through your mouth in your sleep.
The easiest way to keep your mouth closed while using a CPAP machine is to use a chin strap.
Yes, a full-face mask that covers both your nose and mouth is often recommended for people who breathe through their mouth. The mask prevents air from escaping from your mouth and also helps to prevent dry mouth.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sato K, Shirakawa T, Sakata H, Asanuma S.Effectiveness of the analysis of craniofacial morphology and pharyngeal airway morphology in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012;41(5):411–416. doi:10.1259/dmfr/28710443Azarbarzin A, Sands SA, Marques M, et al.Palatal prolapse as a signature of expiratory flow limitation and inspiratory palatal collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.Eur Respir J. 2018;51(2):1701419. doi:10.1183/13993003.01419-2017Leboulanger N.Nasal obstruction in children.Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2016;133(3):183-6. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2015.09.011May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-2419. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Wheatley LM, Togias A.Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456–463. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1412282Rowland S, Aiyappan V, Hennessy C, et al.Comparing the efficacy, mask leak, patient adherence, and patient preference of three different CPAP interfaces to treat moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(1):101-108. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6892
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sato K, Shirakawa T, Sakata H, Asanuma S.Effectiveness of the analysis of craniofacial morphology and pharyngeal airway morphology in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012;41(5):411–416. doi:10.1259/dmfr/28710443Azarbarzin A, Sands SA, Marques M, et al.Palatal prolapse as a signature of expiratory flow limitation and inspiratory palatal collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.Eur Respir J. 2018;51(2):1701419. doi:10.1183/13993003.01419-2017Leboulanger N.Nasal obstruction in children.Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2016;133(3):183-6. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2015.09.011May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-2419. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Wheatley LM, Togias A.Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456–463. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1412282Rowland S, Aiyappan V, Hennessy C, et al.Comparing the efficacy, mask leak, patient adherence, and patient preference of three different CPAP interfaces to treat moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(1):101-108. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6892
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sato K, Shirakawa T, Sakata H, Asanuma S.Effectiveness of the analysis of craniofacial morphology and pharyngeal airway morphology in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012;41(5):411–416. doi:10.1259/dmfr/28710443Azarbarzin A, Sands SA, Marques M, et al.Palatal prolapse as a signature of expiratory flow limitation and inspiratory palatal collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.Eur Respir J. 2018;51(2):1701419. doi:10.1183/13993003.01419-2017Leboulanger N.Nasal obstruction in children.Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2016;133(3):183-6. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2015.09.011May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-2419. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006Wheatley LM, Togias A.Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456–463. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1412282Rowland S, Aiyappan V, Hennessy C, et al.Comparing the efficacy, mask leak, patient adherence, and patient preference of three different CPAP interfaces to treat moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(1):101-108. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6892
Sato K, Shirakawa T, Sakata H, Asanuma S.Effectiveness of the analysis of craniofacial morphology and pharyngeal airway morphology in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012;41(5):411–416. doi:10.1259/dmfr/28710443
Azarbarzin A, Sands SA, Marques M, et al.Palatal prolapse as a signature of expiratory flow limitation and inspiratory palatal collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.Eur Respir J. 2018;51(2):1701419. doi:10.1183/13993003.01419-2017
Leboulanger N.Nasal obstruction in children.Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2016;133(3):183-6. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2015.09.011
May JR, Dolen WK.Management of allergic rhinitis: a review for the community pharmacist.Clin Ther. 2017;39(12):2410-2419. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.006
Wheatley LM, Togias A.Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis.N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456–463. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1412282
Rowland S, Aiyappan V, Hennessy C, et al.Comparing the efficacy, mask leak, patient adherence, and patient preference of three different CPAP interfaces to treat moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(1):101-108. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6892
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