Dry mouth is a common issue for people with sleep apnea, but waking up with a dry, sticky mouth is more than just uncomfortable. Chronic dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, cracked lips, and poor nutrition. It can also cause bad breath.

Keep reading to learn why dry mouth happens and what you can do to prevent or manage it.

How Does Sleep Apnea Cause Dry Mouth?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts normal breathing. The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when muscles in the throat relax and block or narrow the airway. When airflow is restricted, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth. Mouth breathing reduces saliva and moisture, often leading to dry mouth.

In addition to being a symptom of sleep apnea, dry mouth can be a side effect of certain sleep apnea treatments. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, for example, deliver a steady stream of pressurized air to keep your airway open during sleep. While CPAP therapy is effective for treating sleep apnea, the high-pressure air can dry out your mouth and throat and reduce saliva production.

Other causes of dry mouth include dehydration, certain medications, aging, smoking, and health conditions, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

If you experience both sleep apnea and dry mouth, these tips may help you find relief.

1. Ensure Your CPAP Mask Fits Properly

If your sleep apnea treatment plan includes a CPAP device, ensure the mask fits properly. While dry mouth is a common side effect of CPAP therapy, a mask that’s too loose or too tight can make dry mouth symptoms worse by allowing air leaks or causing discomfort.

CPAP masks are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ask your healthcare provider or a sleep medicine specialist to check the fit of your current mask and help you adjust it if needed. They can also recommend other masks if you need to find a better fit. Some people find that a full-face mask, which covers the nose and mouth, improves mouth dryness while they sleep.

2. Add Moisture to the Air

If you regularly wake up with a dry mouth or a sore throat after using your CPAP device, a lack of moisture in the air flowing through the machine could be to blame. This issue is especially common in winter months and in low-humidity climates.

Many modern CPAP machines include built-in humidifiers to moisturize the air. If yours doesn’t, you should be able to attach a separate CPAP machine humidifier. CPAP manufacturers recommend only using distilled water in humidifiers to prevent mineral buildup.

If you don’t use a CPAP device or if you need additional moisture, a stand-alone room humidifier can add moisture to the air in your bedroom. Room humidifiers are available online and from most major retailers in a wide range of models, sizes, and price points.

3. Use Mouth Tape or a Chin Strap

Using products designed to gently keep your mouth closed while you sleep can help reduce dryness caused by mouth breathing. Two popular choices are mouth tape and chin straps.

Mouth tape is a skin-safe adhesive used to keep the lips together during sleep. A chin strap is an adjustable band worn around the head that supports the jaw to keep it closed. Both options can be effective, but they might take some getting used to.

Before trying over-the-counter products to prevent mouth breathing, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s important to make sure this strategy is safe for you, especially if you have frequent nasal congestion, allergies, or other medical conditions.

4. Keep Your Mouth Moist

Using a specially formulated mouthwash or oral spray before bed can help keep your mouth moist while you sleep. Popular brands include TheraBreath, Biotene, and Act. These products are designed to support saliva production, and they typically provide longer-lasting relief than regular mouthwash. Look for products containing xylitol.

Chewing sugar-free gum or using sugar-free lozenges throughout the day can also help stimulate saliva production. Having enough saliva not only keeps your mouth moist and comfortable but also supports long-term oral health.

5. Relieve Any Nasal Congestion

When the nasal passages are blocked, the body often compensates by breathing through the mouth. If you have frequent nasal congestion due to CPAP therapy, allergies, a medical condition, or something else, addressing the underlying cause may help reduce mouth breathing and improve your dry mouth symptoms.

Before using over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines, ask your healthcare provider for advice, as these medications can sometimes cause dry mouth. Using saltwater nasal sprays or a heated humidifier can help ease nasal congestion without increasing dryness.

6. Drink Water

Staying hydrated is a simple and effective way to prevent or reduce dry mouth. Drinking enough water throughout the day also supports overall health and may even improve sleep quality and sleep apnea symptoms.

The amount of water you need depends on several factors, including your activity level, age, and weight. Ask your doctor how much water is right for you. Then try to sip water throughout the day to meet your intake goal rather than drinking large amounts all at once.

7. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol and tobacco can worsen dry mouth and irritate the tissues in your mouth and throat. Alcohol also relaxes the throat muscles, which can make sleep apnea worse and reduce the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.

If you currently drink or smoke, reducing or eliminating these substances may improve your dry mouth symptoms. Limiting alcohol and quitting tobacco can also lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and other chronic health conditions.

8. Talk to Your Doctor

Having a dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable. For some, it’s a chronic issue that impacts oral health, overall health, and quality of life. The good news is that mouth dryness is common, and there are effective ways to manage it.

Tell your healthcare provider about your dry mouth symptoms. They can help you identify the cause and recommend strategies to manage it. If needed, prescription-strength treatments are available. Don’t be embarrassed or suffer in silence. Get the help you need to feel comfortable and get a good night’s sleep.

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How do you relieve your dry mouth symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.