Have you ever had a dry mouth at night after a good night’s sleep? Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can result from anything as basic as sleeping with the mouth open or as complicated as a drug side effect.
When your mouth cannot produce enough saliva when you are asleep, you have a dry mouth at night. In spite of causing discomfort, it can result in oral health problems like gum disease or tooth decay. Contact a dentist in Turlock, CA, if you are facing the same issue and get it treated.
What are the causes of dry mouth, and how do you manage it?
The salivary glands’ inability to produce sufficient saliva to keep the mouth wet can be the cause of a dry mouth. In order to remove debris from your teeth and restore tooth enamel, saliva is essential. You can be prone to tooth decay if you lack enough of it.
In addition to increasing your risk of cavities, dry mouth can cause discomfort. Some obvious symptoms of nighttime dry mouth in the morning include:
- Bad breath,
- Dry or sore throat,
- Sticky or dry tongue,
- Thick or stringy saliva
- Lip cracks, mouth sores, and lip sores
Why Do People Get Xerostomia?
While dehydration may be the only cause of dry mouth at night, additional factors such as age, medical conditions, and habits may significantly worsen the symptoms.
Here are some additional causes:
- Dehydration: Not drinking sufficient water throughout the day is one of the most common causes of dry mouth. By decreasing salivary flow and conserving resources, your body saves water.
- Keep your mouth open as you sleep: People with sleep apnea or nasal congestion often get dry mouth, which is caused by breathing through their mouths while they are asleep.
- Drugs: Several common drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medications, can produce dry mouth.
- Health Issues: Saliva production can be decreased by diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Treatments for Cancer: Salivary gland damage from radiation therapy and chemotherapy may result in decreased production.
- Lifestyle Factors: Dry mouth symptoms can be worsened by smoking and drinking alcohol, which may cause irritation and dry up your mouth.
Techniques for Treating Dry Mouth at Night
Treating dry mouth that results from dehydration may be as easy as consuming lots of water both during the day and right before bed. Medication-induced xerostomia and other medical problems might need extra support to increase saliva production, including:
Both lifestyle modifications and medical advice are required to maintain a dry mouth, and the following are some effective tactics:
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Drink plenty of water.
Keep a glass of water by your bedside just in case you wake up in the middle of your sleep with a dry mouth. Make sure that you drink enough water during the day.
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Make use of a humidifier.
Your mouth will feel less parched if you add moisture to the air in your bedroom to stop it from drying out overnight.
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Chew Gum Without Sugar
A simple way to increase salivation and stop mouth breathing is to chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies. Consider using nasal strips as an option or speaking with a doctor about alternatives if nasal congestion drives you to breathe via your mouth rather than your nasal passages.
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Limit alcohol and caffeine.
Both drugs can worsen symptoms of dry mouth and dehydration, whereas smoking worsens dry mouth by decreasing salivary flow.
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Proper dental care
Dental caries and gum disease are two effects of dry mouth that can be minimized with regular brushing and flossing. Use Saliva Substitutes: Over-the-counter saliva replacements or mouthwashes explicitly made for treating dry mouth may offer temporary relief for the symptoms of this condition.
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Make Use of Saliva Alternatives
Over-the-counter saliva replacements or mouthwashes explicitly made for treating dry mouth may offer temporary relief for the symptoms of the condition.
When to Consult a Physician
Despite using these treatments, if your dry mouth fails to go away, it can be a sign of a more serious illness that needs to be addressed by a doctor. Schedule an appointment with a dentist to identify and fix any root causes.
