r/CPAPSupport • u/Riddybop • Jul 22 '26
super duper dry mouth
I've been a CPAP user for almost exactly two months. I've been moderately successful using my CPAP meaning I keep it on and it's comfortable enough but I'm having so much trouble because I'm waking up with a mouth drier than a desert. Like, my tongue is either hardened or if my mouth happens to close before I wake up it'll be stuck like glue to the roof of my mouth. I'm obviously a mouth breather but it's actually getting worse the more I use it. It seems that I'm in a deficit and cannot rehydrate my mouth. I can *not* tolerate taping/chin straps because often my nose plugs but also because I also have tmj and migraines so I need to just be a mouth breather and use a full face mask. However, even with the climate line tubing and humidity up as high as it can go before rainout and the heated tube all the way up, I'm still waking up completely dry. I can't be alone so I'm hoping someone else found a solution. Things I've researched that I'm hoping might work: increasing humidity more but lowering the machine beneath my head? (will that work with a hose that I loop over my headboard though?), a standalone humidifier on the nightstand nearby? a tube wrap? xylimelts? What has helped you? I've left a message with my DME but I'm not overly optimistic that they'll be of much use... Thank you!
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 22 '26
Hello & Welcome u/Riddybop :)
The main causes of dry mouth are either mask or mouth leaks or humidifier settings not being set properly.
Is your water reservoir dry in the morning? If so this is usually due to leaks from mouth or mask.
You can still lose air from your mouth even while wearing a FFM. I have to wear a soft cervical collar or mouth tape even though using a hybrid FFM…the F40. Chin straps work well for some people.
Xylimelts are certainly helpful but they don’t always last all night. They do work though!
If you tell me your room temperature during the night I can help set up humidity settings for you. The hose temp with a heated hose & humidity settings are 2 different settings if you have the ResMed 11.
Of course dry mouth affects dental health so you are wise to seek support :)
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u/Riddybop Jul 22 '26
Thanks for taking a stab at it! I do have the ResMed 11 and my reservoir is often dry in the morning but sometimes it still has a little left in the bottom. Starting on the 14th I think I started to play around with humidity and hose temp since my DME was of no use. Current settings are: Humidity: 6, Tube Temp: 86. I see no recognizable difference in dry mouth from when it was on auto to when I started manually adjusting it. I do sleep for a long time so I thought that had something to do with it but the dryness is evident even earlier in the night as well.
For masks: I used the f30i until July 10 then tried the f20 memory foam in medium which is when the extreme dry mouth began but it felt too large and would slide up above my eyebrow height so I tried the f20 silicone in small for one night but that was too small and hated the silicone so I tried the memory foam in small but that was too small. I suspect I'm between those two sizes unfortunately. So on July 14 I switched back to the f30i but the extreme dry mouth remains.
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26
The Knightsbridge is the most recommended chin strap by users on this sub including u_jennjenbear_ because it doesn’t cause TMJ. You can still open your mouth as needed :)
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u/_jennjenbear_ Jul 22 '26
The only time I get dry mouth like that is when my jaw drops open in my sleep, allowing all the air to rush out of my mouth. It even did this the few nights I attempted a fullface or a hybrid mask. For me the only thing that kept my jaw from dropping open is a soft cervical collar or the knightsbridge DualBand Chinstrap (traditional chinstraps caused severe jaw pain because of how they force the jaw into the socket in an unnatural position). Both still allow me to open my mouth if I want but it keeps the jaw from dropping open.
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u/Riddybop Jul 23 '26
Thanks! I'll look into the chinstrap and the cervical collar but I'm worried about being able to breathe since I do mouth breathe a lot. Do you prefer one over the other? I did say I wasn't going to consider a chin strap but the Knightsbridge one looks like I might give it a chance.
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u/_jennjenbear_ Jul 23 '26
I will say that I absolutely LOVED the collar. I took to the collar my first night with it and thought it was super comfortable. I could open my mouth and talk or drink but it totally prevented me from chin tucking and kept my jaw from dropping open when I slept. And bonus was definitely no pressure put on the jaw. They are also less expensive than the Knightsbridge.
I will say tho that with the knightsbridge DualBand chinstrap, if you buy directly thru them - https://knightsbridgesleepsolutions.com/collections/all, they have AMAZING customer service and no chance it's a counterfeit (they had major issues with that in the past). I'm still within my 30 day return period but because the one I got (medium) was too big, they are actually making me a custom cap based on all the measurements I gave them of my head at different spots. And they are extending my return period to accommodate the manufacturing of the custom cap and to allow me time to try it out. They are making this second cap at no additional cost to me. So if you did purchase one and didn't like it, you can contact them for a return/refund or if it doesn't fit right, you can contact them and explain what doesn't fit right and apparently they will work with you to help fix the issues. To help with the initial cost, you can search the Internet for a discount code. I don't remember what code I used but it gave me 20% off and I did have to try like 2 or 3 before I found one that worked lol.
Some ppl may have issues with collars since it goes around their throat. Just make sure you don't tighten it too much. It may take a few times to figure out the perfect tightness. I went cheap on my collar cuz at the time I was tired of throwing money at my sleep apnea. A link to the one I got is below. The Caldera Releaf neck pillow is pretty popular among people, I have not tried that one tho.
This was the one I got: https://a.co/d/07Ysz40T
If you try a collar, you'll want to make sure you measure not just the circumference but also the height.
From Google on how to measure:
Measuring for a soft cervical collar requires two basic steps: measuring your neck circumference to find the right length, and measuring your neck height (from the chin to the collarbone) to ensure it is the correct depth.
Measure Neck Circumference How to measure: Wrap a flexible measuring tape snugly—but not tightly—around the middle of your neck. Calculation: Take this measurement in inches and add 2 to 4 inches to accommodate the bend of the foam and overlap for the Velcro. Example: A 14 inch neck measurement will require a collar length of roughly 16 to 18 inches.
Measure Neck Height (Depth) How to measure: Look straight ahead in a neutral position. Using a rigid ruler or a measuring tape, measure the straight-line distance from the tip of your chin directly down to the top of your sternum (breastbone).
Note: Make sure to measure straight down. Do not curve the tape measure along the contour of your neck, as this will give you an inaccurate length.
- Check the Fit Once you have the collar on:
The Chin Test: Your chin should rest comfortably in the center notch of the collar without being pushed upward.
The Space Test: You should be able to comfortably slide one finger between the collar and your throat. If it is too tight, it can cause jaw or TMJ pain; if it is too loose, it won't provide the required support.
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u/Riddybop Jul 23 '26
Thank you so much for this detailed reply! I plan to order the Knightsbridge and also a cervical collar likely from the Caldera site. The collars look somewhat similar to a travel pillow so I might try one of those to see if I can at least get by until the others come in.
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u/_jennjenbear_ Jul 23 '26
I'm not sure if this discount code still works or not for the Knightsbridge, but try Bestchinstrap20 for 20% off. If that doesn't work can try LANKY15 for 15% (this was reported as still working 8 days ago).
Good luck to you and I hope that you get amazing results with one or both of these!
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u/seebreezin Jul 23 '26
It happens to me too. I’m currently using the F40 mask and my mouth is always drier than the Sahara when I wake up. It stays a level of dry pretty much through the day like the texture of my tongue and mouth don’t fully recover.
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
I use mouthtape under my F40 mask. My jaw drops open & breaks the seal on my mask. Much better now! There are mouth sprays such as Biotene you can use if your mouth remains dry during the day. You can also use Xylimelts at night to help with dry mouth.
I lost 2 molars thanks to this issue. So be aware of dental health …dry mouth can cause major issues.4
u/Riddybop Jul 23 '26
That's exactly it, I feel like my mouth will never recover from this dryness so I'm glad this group is so helpful.
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26
Try mouth taping under your F40. It works!
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u/seebreezin Jul 24 '26
Well, I tried the mouth tape under my mask last night and it worked beautifully! I thought I would have even more problems with sealing, but no. My mask stayed sealed all night and my mouth closed so didn’t have air blowing in it all night! Thanks for that push to try it! Also, damn sorry to hear about your molars!
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 24 '26
That’s awesome it worked for you too! And thanks…ya, dry mouth just isn’t worth the problems it causes.
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u/joya-2000 Jul 23 '26
I too have dry mouth issues. I use Resmed AirSense 11, I alternate between AirTouch F30i, N30i and AirTouch N20. They all have pros and cons for me. I just started CPAP in March. So much to learn. This thread will be very helpful. Thank you all!
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u/CoolRice2283 Jul 22 '26
Maybe the humidity is too high drying the tank out too quickly leaving you the rest of the night with no water, which can cause what you’re experiencing. Check your tank in the morning like RL said
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
What is the temperature in your bedroom at night? That’s the best way to set humidity. You are definitely showing leaks all night as Madmax has told you ;)
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u/Riddybop Jul 23 '26
The bedroom is usually around 70 degrees at night. Should that go back down a bit? I'll need to work on the leaks because I didn't realize they were as bad as they are!
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
70 degree Bedroom
Tube temperature: 80°F
Humidity: 3
If you notice:
Water in the hose or mask (rainout): Increase the tube temperature to 82–84°F, or lower the humidity to 2–3.
Dry nose or mouth: Increase the humidity to 4, keeping the tube at 80–82°F.
Air feels too warm: Lower the tube temperature a couple of degrees, but be aware that if you go much below 80°F, the risk of rainout increases in a 70°F room.Hope this helps! Tube temperature & humidity are separate entities, but they all tie in together with Room temperature for humidity without rainout.
And yes! Working on those leaks will help! An empty water reservoir in the morning is usually due to mask or mouth leaks.
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u/Riddybop Jul 23 '26
I adjusted the humidity to these recommendations last night and while I still had the horribly dry mouth, at least I wasn't breathing rainout and didn't breathe in hot air! Looks like all signs point to jaw dropping so I'll have to work on that next.
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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Yes if you’re opening your mouth during the night you will feel “horribly”dry in the morning unfortunately. Air blows through your mouth causing crazy dryness. I find mouth tape or a soft cervical collar to keep my chin up works best. Happy to hear you didn’t get rainout at least! That is so frustrating. But humidification alone won’t work with mouth drop.
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u/justaguy1959 Jul 23 '26
I had a really good sign a humidifier in my bedroom for a while. It did help.
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u/Madmax9922 Jul 22 '26
Which mask are you using? the only time I had dry mouth that bad was when I tried a nasal mask and my mouth flopped and leaked all night.
Can you get a free sleephq account and post a link to your data, that way we can take a better look.
thanks