CPAP and canker sores

by Paul

I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea for over 6 years. I use the full face mask with oxygen. My problem is that I constantly get these mouth sores (like canker sores) in my mouth. I seem to keep one all the time.

They are very painful. I have tried all sorts of medicines - canker, Sea Buckthorne Fruit Oil, peroxide, assortments of mouth wash, to name a few. Nothing works.

I have put a shield in my mask to direct the direct flow of air from going straight into my mouth - I sleep with my mouth open because I can't breathe through my nose. I have not found anyone to help me solve my problem.

Please, please tell me you know the answer.

Answer


Paul, do you have a history of canker sores or thrush before CPAP therapy? Because we have to consider all the causes of having canker sores, which can be any agent, condition, or other stimulus that causes stress, fungal infection, dry mouth, etc.

I don't know if you'll be happy or not, to tell you that dry mouth can cause this painful sores. Happy, because you now know a very probable cause for your problem (your doctor has to confirm this), but unhappy because is not so easy to find a solution.

Dry mouth comes from breathing with your mouth open, or when the air that is recirculating in through the nose and out through the mouth.

You can find solutions for this problem on the page about CPAP dry mouth.

However, the tip when you could use the chin strap to prevent the opening of the mouth during sleep is not recommended for you at this stage. That's because you can't breathe through the nose.

So I would advise you to fix this problem first - breathing normally through your nose. Then, if you still can't sleep with your mouth closed, you should use the chin strap.


Bottom line...Go to your doctor and find why you can't breathe through the nose. Maybe you have deviated septum or enlarged turbinates... Your doctor knows better.

Fix the nose problem, and then use the CPAP chin strap together with your mask, only if you can't sleep with the mouth closed.

It's imperative to breathe through the nose! All the medications for canker sores fix the symptoms. But you have to fix the cause. If the cause is dry mouth, then breathing through a healthy nose is your solution.

I hope it helps. Don't be afraid to comment back.

Remy Thierry
Founder of Sleep Apnea Guide

Comments for CPAP and canker sores

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Dec 17, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My tests indicate cpap is the cause
by: Phil

Yep... canker sores from cpap. Incredibly painful. I'm doing some testing now but all roads point to the cpap. Perhaps I need to come up with new way of cleaning it.
Apr 28, 2015
Rating
star 		doesnt help
by: Maria

I do not have a diviated septum or large annoids. I only get canker sores in my mouth when I use the cpap. I tried several masks. I used cpap yesterday for 3 hours, canker sore appeared.
May 25, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Additive in toothpaste
by: Anonymous

Eliminating sodium lauryl sulfate from toothpaste eliminated chronic mouth sores for me. I now use Biotene.
Apr 20, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Cpap canker sores
by: tom

I have the exact same problem and the mouth sores are very painful. I can however breathe thru my mouth, so I guess I will have to go back to the uncomfortable chin strap??
May 24, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		ulcers
by: Anonymous

I have recently started trying to use a cpap machine but am finding very difficult to get used to it. I am continually plagued by ulcers and it is starting to get me down. I suffer with crohns disease and this can flare up through stress. I feel as if I am on a roundabout and unable to get off.
Jul 03, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Cpap aggravate mouth blisters/sores
by: Anonymous

I am prone to mouth sores because of my immunodeficiency, however, I have suffered awful mouth sores that are multiplying for the last two months, they usually clear up and come again without the CPAP, at least I get a break. I have been nonstop with the mouth sores now almost three months, hard to talk and eat. Is there a solution?
Aug 04, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Canker Sores
by: Anonymous

The opposite happened to me. Before CPAP I would have 3-5 sores at any time. After 3 months using the nasal pillows and sleeping with my mouth closed the sores are gone.
Aug 29, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstar 		CPAP mouth sores
by: BeeDub

I am a 9-month CPAP user. I use the full mask and tend to breathe through my mouth. I had NO canker sores until about one month ago. Now, they will not go away. This is very frustrating because the sores are aggravated by wearing the mask, so I am less inclined to use it.

Is there anything I should be doing in terms of sanitizing the equipment to try to alleviate the problem? I can't understand why I am getting the cankers only recently, not before.

Until they developed, I was happy using the machine every night. Now, I sometimes remove it in the middle of the night. Any advice would be appreciated.
Sep 25, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Unbearable sores on my inner lip and lip
by: Anonymous

I have been on CPAP for almost a year and in that year I have had mouth sores so bad that my gland in my neck are swollen and sore, my mouth is so sore I can't hardly eat or talk and when I got the first one I actually ran a fever from it.

It takes about one month to get over these sores, one thing else my lip also swells up on one side. I am at the point now of just quitting the device and going back to oxygen..

The company that furnishes the equipment are not really providing the best of care, I shouldn't have to wear old masks that are leaky and aren't really doing me much good but giving me terrible mouth sores.
Nov 07, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Splits in corners of mouth
by: Anonymous

Hi Can anyone help, I have used cpap for about 4 years now. In the past couple of month my mouth is splitting in the corners. I use Vasoline in the corners of my mouth when using cpap and Nivea during the day. But nothing seems to work. Has anyone any idea what to use. Thanks
Nov 07, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I had the sores and they stopped!
by: Tom K

I was getting the painful sores in my mouth constantly then this past spring I started taking 2 chewable "probiotic acidophilus" (with lactis) every day. I have not had a single mouth sore in 4.5 months. I am very happy :-)
Jan 21, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mouth & teeth pain for 3 days
by: Steve

Hello, I have had severe mouth (worst on the roof) and teeth pain for 3 days now. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction to food. I went to the Dr. She thought the same thing. She was puzzled. I just realized the pain increases when I put my mask on. Nasal only. I must admit I neglect the cleaning. I just washed all the pieces in warm/hot water. I'm going to keep the mask off tonight. I'll post a followup.
Feb 19, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dry Mouth Complications and CPAP
by: James

I am experiencing the same, Dry Mouth with Fissues on tongue, Crenated Tongue, Dry lips.

CPAP/BiPAP user, 7+ Years-I just recently started experiencing the "Dry Mouth" complications.
Feb 24, 2017
Rating
starstarstar 		Its as simple as your teeth
by: Anonymous

I've been on cpap therapy more than half my life and use the full face mask. I get these sores from time to time and they are always where the mask pushes my cheeck or lip against the edge of a tooth.

You simply bit yourself in your sleep. The little then keeps rubbing against the edge of a tooth while you sleep, agrovating the spot.
Nov 06, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Canker Sores
by: Sam I Am

I've dealt with canker sores my whole life, but the worst was during braces in my teens. Now the CPAP is bringing them back again to that level.
Jul 30, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Clap and Canker Sores
by: Chris B

Can anyone describe what these sores actually look like please as I currently have one inside my cheek right next to a tooth and right beneath where my full face mask strap sits? I am quite worried that it could be something sinister as I have had it 3/4 weeks.

I have been to see GP and he advised to rinse with Corsodyl and if not cleared up in 2 weeks he will refer me to hospital. GP doesn’t know what it is at this stage.

I would describe it as almost circular, appears darker in the centre about the diameter of my back tooth which it is adjacent to.
Oct 05, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mouth sores and CPAP
by: MMcD

I have almost constant mouth sores (canker sores.) I have tried almost every treatment and preventative also. After reading this article I am pretty sure it is due to CPAP with mouthguard that I wear that keeps mouth open, for my TMJ problem.

The only treatment that helped me was taking a 5 or 10 mg Prednisolone tablet (prescription). I am going to try sleeping with mouth closed and see if the canker sores will stop. I will also try the chewable probiotic recommended here.
Thank you all for posting.
Mar 29, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: Anonymous

So glad I found this thread. Canker sores now for 3 months. Cpap user for years. For about a year ago I began having an itchy feeling inside my mouth...lip area only after most meals. I thought it was some food allergy/ sensitivity. But, it seems that my mouth is very dry now causing my teeth to irritate my lip ad someone mentioned above. My GP called it trauma.

After biotene, peroxyl, magic moutjwash and salt water rince i have no relief. Ive seen my GP, dentist and opthamologist ( my occupational therapist suggested could be sjogerens since I also have dry eyes, etc.).

So, I just ordered the probiotics suggested above. Hoping for relief soon. Thanks all contributors!
Nov 30, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Helpful Info Listed
by: blag

I have been dealing with these sores in front of lower mouth. I thought of dirty CPAP and I use a ozone cleaner. Finally thought was mask dry throat from mouth breathing. I keep turning up the humidity and still does not solve. These articles confirm it is open mouth issue along with full face mask pressure on the chin. Thank you all for the input.
May 31, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Cpap
by: Bonnie

I started breathing through my nose about a year ago and wear a full face mask. I haven’t slep a good night since your dr puts you in one and then when you have problems they make it worse I’ve been on 14 years ready to stop. Cpap companies don’t care if you don’t sleep they can’t call you back and you get in. So fed up more tired now then ever.
Apr 21, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Sores on my tongue NEW
by: Sore tongue in NY

I have had the occasional canker sores in the past. However, since going on the CPAP these past three weeks, I've started having sores on my tongue. When one clears up another one or two of them appear. They are very painful.

I have a full mask and I am definitely a mouth breather. I would try using a strap, but I am worried I will have even more problems if I cannot breath through my mouth.


May 04, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Triamcinolone (Dental Paste) can treat oral mouth sores NEW
by: Anonymous

Talk to your DR or Dentist and try Triamcinolone (Dental Paste) can treat oral mouth sores. It works great should you get these types of sores.
Aug 04, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Canker sores NEW
by: Ginger

I have been using a cpap for over 5 years with no problem. About four months ago I began getting canker sores 4 or 5 months ago. I went to urgent care because they hurt so much and I didn’t know what they were. No help…. I have tried everything and they still go away for a few days and then return. At times I have 5 on the left and right side of my tongue. My dr ordered a dental paste and it does help, but they keep returning. I am an open mouth sleeper. Please help….

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