CPAP breathe through nose or mouth

“I have been able to progressively lower my CPAP pressure from 15 mm to 12 mm while still maintaining a 30-day average AHI of 3.0.” 

What is CPAP?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Pressurized air, generated by a pump, maintains a constant pressure in the mask and the patient’s airway to keep the airway open so oxygen can get to the lungs.

 Why is mouth breathing a problem?

The air in a CPAP appliance does not circulate like water through a hose; it should remain at a constant pressure like air in a balloon, which only happens as long as the patient keeps their mouth closed. When a patient’s mouth opens, the air escapes out of the mouth causing the air pressure supporting the airway to be less than is required to keep the airway open. This reduces the efficiency of the CPAP therapy and can result in the patient waking up with a dry mouth and dry throat, caused by the circulating air, and a sinus headache. Keeping your mouth closed during sleep can be impossible without help.

What to do about it? Here are some solutions:

Heated Humidification. The latest CPAP machines often have heated humidification to add moisture to the air so the airway, throat and mouth don't get dried out from the pressurized air escaping through the mouth, but mouth breathing will still lead to an increase in nasal mucosal blood flux, which causes nasal and sinus congestion.

Full Face Masks. CPAP mask designers have attempted to address the mouth breathing problem by developing a full face mask. A full face mask is designed to cover both the nose and the mouth but they are bulky, tend to leak, because more mask surface is against the face, and do not control mouth breathing. People in general prefer a nasal mask that covers only the nose, but a nasal mask leaves the mouth free to open during sleep.

Chin Straps. Chinstraps, made of stretchable material with Velcro attachments, are designed to keep the mouth closed using force to prevent the jaw from dropping open.  They go under the chin and attach at the top of the head but they can be uncomfortable and some of them may cut across the ear, rubbing or intruding on sensitive skin. Because chin straps are made of stretchable material, they need to be tightened, sometimes significantly, to keep the mouth closed during sleep. The more force that needs to be used to close the mouth the more the jaw is pulled toward the throat, increasing the risk of the airway becoming restricted as a result of the receding chin.

Adhesive Strips and Mouth Taping. U-shaped adhesive strips are available, but use force to pull the jaw up and the mouth closed, although mouth breathing is still possible. The strips can be uncomfortable and may cause skin damage when pulled off the face in the morning. Taping your mouth shut by placing medical paper tape over your lips is risky and may cause choking if the tape is sucked back into the throat during sleep.

A simple and effective solution for mouth breathing that has no nasty side effects is sleepQ+

Updated February 17 2020 

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Also in Blog

What to do if my child is mouth breathing?

October 21, 2022

In this blog, we will look at what to look out for if you think your child might be mouth breathing, as well as what to do if you identify this is the case.

View full article →

Why mouth breathing at night reduces your sleep quality?

July 20, 2022

Learn about the benefits of breathing through your nose rather than your mouth. How to control mouth breathing and how different treatments work.

View full article →

Is Your Child a Mouth Breather? Why parents should look for signs before the problem gets worse.

July 13, 2022

When children breathe through their mouths during the day chances are that they also breathe through their mouths at night. Mouth breathing at night is directly connected to altered levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood stream. When less oxygen is able to reach the brain, learning and the ability to focus at school becomes a problem for many children.

Do you think you fall into the category of CPAP mouth breathers? Then, you may not be experiencing the most from your CPAP therapy since you’re not getting the airflow that keeps your airways open all night long.

Let’s look at some of the health implications of CPAP mouth breathing and what you can do to stop pressure loss from mouth breathing in its tracks, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of your sleep apnea therapy once again.

The Health Risks of CPAP Mouth Breathing

Being a CPAP mouth breather and experiencing pressure loss can cause a range of health concerns within your mouth. Halitosis or bad breath, periodontal disease or gum disease, throat and ear infections, inflamed gums, cavities, and tooth decay are caused by CPAP dry mouth, which reduces your saliva’s ability to remove bacteria from your mouth.

Biologically, breathing from your nose serves as your body’s natural way to filter out germs and bacteria. However, when you breathe from your mouth, there is no barrier to keep the bad bacteria out.

Mouth breathing can also lead to morning headaches, brain fog, fatigue, colds, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and heart disease. Breathing from your mouth depletes your carbon dioxide levels, decreases your blood circulation, and slows your brain and reflexes.

Breathing from your mouth while using your CPAP device can worsen these symptoms since you are not receiving your full threapy benefits.

Causes of CPAP Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing at night can be a result of allergies, asthma, or chronic colds. CPAP mouth breathing can be caused by blockages in your nasal passage, including a deviated nasal septum, sinus polyps, or birth abnormalities.

You may be experiencing CPAP mouth breathing if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids or could be because of your jaw or nose size and shape.

How to Know if You Are CPAP Mouth Breathing at Night

If you are questioning whether you are breathing from your mouth at night, there are a few clear signs. If you wake up hoarse from snoring, with a dry mouth or bad breath, dark circles under your eyes, or are experiencing chronic fatigue, then you may be breathing from your mouth while using your CPAP equipment throughout the night.

The Leading CPAP Options for Mouth Breathers

If you are a CPAP mouth breather and want to get the most out of your sleep apnea therapy, try out these solutions based on the one that works the best for your lifestyle.

Keep Your Sinuses Clear

First, test to see if your sinuses are congested by taking a breath in through your nose. If you feel any resistance while inhaling or exhaling, then talk to your doctor about blockages in your nasal passages.

To stop CPAP mouth breathing in its tracks, try keeping your nasal sinuses clear. Try to combat your congestion by talking to your doctor about using nasal sprays, a neti pot, essential oils, nasal rinses, or about incorporating a bacteria filter.

Your ENT doctor may suggest surgery if a structural anomaly exists that is making nose breathing more difficult.

The bottom line? If your nose is blocked, you’ll be more likely to breathe through your mouth, so talk with your doctor to see if an over-the-counter solution or surgery would be the best option for you.

The Best CPAP Mask for Mouth Breathers

Can CPAP Mouth Breathers Use a Nasal or Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask?

By putting mouth breathing to bed and prompting nasal breathing, you will decrease your dry mouth, bad breath, cavities, and colds. Try incorporating a full face CPAP mask, chinstraps, or a chinstrap alternative into your nighttime routine to achieve the restful sleep you deserve.

Taylor Whitten

Taylor has seen sleep apnea treatment first-hand and has learned the ins and outs through formal training in CPAP machines, masks, and equipment. She strives to make learning about sleep apnea and sleep apnea therapies a breeze. Interested in sharing your story or have a topic you’d like CPAP.com to investigate? Contact us!

Looking For a Deal?

Unwrap Great CPAP SAVINGS and Put Your Sleep Apnea To Rest During Our Restmas Sale!

Click To Learn More