How To Prevent Dry Mouth While Sleeping? | Healthystripe
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How to Prevent Dry Mouth While Sleeping?

HealthyStripe's Editorial Team
3 March 2022

You might have often wondered why your mouth feels so dry when you wake up at night or when you talk?

Why do you get the urge to drink more water than usual, especially during your sleep or right after you wake up?

Well, that’s a condition called dry mouth and is medically known as xerostomia.

It is a health condition in which the mouth is unable to produce enough saliva through salivary glands due to which it turns dry. A dry mouth can be an extremely frustrating problem and can affect the quality of life. 

It starts as a minor problem that can worsen into some serious oral health issues thus it is very important to prevent dry mouth at an early stage.

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Causes of Dry Mouth While Sleeping

Dry mouth during sleep can be caused by a variety of factors, including snoring or breathing through the mouth as a result of clogged or inflamed nasal passages, or the use of dental appliances such as bite splints or CPAP machines for sleep apnea. Other causes include ageing and diabetes.

Lack of saliva production is a primary contributor to dry mouth. This deficiency can result in difficulty with tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Furthermore, insufficient saliva can lead to the buildup of bacteria on teeth, resulting in tooth decay and potentially even tooth loss if left untreated.

The common causes of dry mouth while sleeping are- 

  • According to Mayo Clinic, there are many medications that can cause potential side effects in oral health and can cause dry mouth while sleeping. These medications mainly include antidepressants, antihistamines, painkillers, etc. 
  • If you have been through any kind of nerve damage in the head and neck area, there are chances you might experience dry mouth.
  • The habit of breathing through your mouth also leads to dry mouth. You might wanna check out if you are dehydrated, have sleep apnea, anxiety, or suffer from nasal cavity if you sleep with your mouth open. 

Add on: Dry Mouth From Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

  • Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and mumps can all cause dry mouth as a side effect.
  • Your lifestyle also matters a lot here. If you are into smoking or chewing tobacco, you can suffer from a dry mouth.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

There are many symptoms you can go through if you have a dry mouth while sleeping which include:

  • Sticky feeling in the mouth
  • Extreme dryness
  • Unpleasant changes in the taste of food
  • Bad breath
  • Extreme dehydration
  • Sore throat
  • Burning sensation in the mouth and dehydrated tongue
  • Trouble chewing or swallowing
  • Chapped lips

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    How To Know If You Have a Dry Mouth?

    The dry mouth starts off from very mild symptoms which you might brush off without paying much attention. But as the problem progresses, it becomes difficult to deal with. Thus, here are some signs to determine if you have a dry mouth so that you can prevent it at an early stage:

    • Check if you are consuming more than 2 medications a day. If you are, then consult your doctor and tell him/her about the symptoms you are facing.
    • Observe if your mouth is dry even after consuming more than the required amount of fluids and water. 
    • If you suddenly get thirsty in the middle of the night, this might also be a sign of dry mouth. 
    • Are you constantly feeling dry in the mouth just after waking up? If yes, then you may need to give more attention to your oral health. 

    Preventing Dry Mouth While Sleeping

    There are many natural ways through which you can prevent dry mouth majorly making certain positive changes in your daily habits and your routine. Here are some effective measures to prevent dry mouth while sleeping:

    • Remain hydrated throughout the day. Keep sipping on water and other fluids regularly rather than just gulping down everything in one go.
    • Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake, especially at night. Overdose of caffeine and sugar can also be detrimental to your oral health. 
    • Make it a habit to brush twice a day and prefer using fluoride toothpaste.
    • Talk with your doctor if you think the medications you are consuming are causing a dry mouth. 
    • Always keep water beside you at night to sip on whenever you feel thirsty.
    • Keep a regular follow-up of your oral health. Get timely checkups and pay attention to any comfortability you are facing right from the start rather than procrastinating. 

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    Bottom Line

    Dry mouth is not a very threatening health condition if timely treated. You need to follow healthy oral health practices and quit smoking, alcohol, tobacco chewing, etc. to prevent dry mouth. Take care of your hydration the most. If the condition persists, consult your doctor without any delay.

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