Mouth Breathing at Night and Picking a CPAP Mask Type
If you wake with a dry mouth, you may breathe through your mouth at night. Here is how that shapes the choice between nasal, nasal pillow and full face CPAP masks.
How mouth breathing at night affects which CPAP mask type suits you
Many first-time CPAP users only find out they breathe through their mouth at night when someone tells them, or when they wake with a dry mouth. It is worth knowing before you choose a mask, because the mask type decides where the air goes in. This guide explains the three ResMed mask types in plain terms and how mouth breathing fits into the choice.
Signs you may breathe through your mouth while asleep
You cannot watch yourself sleep, so look for small clues instead:
- You often wake with a dry mouth, dry lips or a sore throat.
- Your partner or family notice your mouth hangs open while you sleep.
- Your nose feels blocked most nights, from a cold, allergies or dust.
- You keep a glass of water by the bed and reach for it in the night.
None of these is a diagnosis. They are simply things to mention to your doctor, who can tell you more about your breathing and whether a particular mask type makes sense for you.
Why it matters for a CPAP mask
A CPAP machine sends a steady flow of air through a hose to the mask. If the mask only covers your nose and your mouth falls open, some of that air can escape through your mouth. You may notice a dry mouth in the morning, or the machine may work harder to keep up. That is why mouth breathing is one of the first things to think about when picking a mask type.
The three mask types, in plain terms
Nasal mask (for example AirFit N20)
A nasal mask sits over the nose, with a cushion that rests on the bridge and around the nostrils. It suits people who breathe through the nose most of the night. Some mouth breathers use one with a chin strap, but that is a choice to talk through with your doctor.
Nasal pillows (for example AirFit P30i)
Nasal pillows are small soft cushions that sit at the entrance of the nostrils. There is very little touching the face, which many people like if they read or watch TV in bed before sleeping, or wear glasses. Like the nasal mask, it relies on breathing through the nose.
Full face mask (for example AirFit F20)
A full face mask covers both the nose and the mouth. Because the air reaches you whichever way you breathe, it is often the first type considered for people who breathe through the mouth or whose nose is often blocked. It is larger on the face, so getting the size right matters.
Humidity and a dry mouth
Malaysian bedrooms often run the air-conditioner all night, and cool air-conditioned air can feel dry. A humidifier adds moisture to the air from the machine. The ResMed AirStart 10 and AirSense 10 AutoSet both have a built-in humidifier, and the AirSense 10 adds Climate Control. The AirMini uses waterless humidification (HumidX). If you wake with a dry mouth even with the right mask type, ask your doctor about the humidity setting.
Choosing your machine and mask together
Masks are bought separately from the machine, from RM600 for the mask only. Most first-timers decide on the machine first and then the mask type. Here is a simple order to follow:
- Ask your doctor which mask type they suggest, especially if you know you breathe through your mouth.
- Pick a machine. If you are unsure between the models, the help me choose guide walks you through it.
- Message us on WhatsApp with the mask type and, if you know it, the size.
- Confirm whether you are buying or renting, the model, and how long you want to rent, then pay by online banking.
We deliver to every location in Malaysia, and the arrangement is confirmed on WhatsApp. That includes homes in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Kuching, or a parent's house in another state.
Questions to bring to your doctor
- Do you think I breathe through my mouth at night?
- Would a nasal mask, nasal pillows or a full face mask suit me better?
- Should I use a chin strap with a nasal mask?
- What humidity level should I start with?
Write the answers down and keep them with your order details. It makes the WhatsApp conversation shorter and helps you get the right mask the first time.
Still not sure which mask type fits how you breathe at night? Send us a message and we will go through the options with you.
This article is general guidance, not medical advice. Your doctor decides on CPAP therapy and its settings.