Generally, it is common to wake up in the morning with the usual dry mouth, a problem particularly intensified in people suffering from xerostomia. In the following lines we show the most common causes of dry mouth at night and some tips to make your nights more bearable.The salivary glands secrete saliva 24 hours a day. Saliva production is increased before, during and after eating, and decreases significantly during the night.
Therefore, to some extent, all people wake up in the morning feeling that their mouth is drier than usual.
In the case of people who suffer from xerostomia, dry mouth problems are exacerbated at night. Depending on the severity of the problem, nights can be torturous.
The lack of saliva at night is not only uncomfortable but it can also disrupt our sleep and affect our oral health.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth at night?
–Waking up during the night to drink water. Dry mouth at night can cause fragmented sleep and even trouble sleeping.
-A very dry and burning mouth upon waking in the morning. You may even find it difficult to speak and swallow.
-A rigid and cracked tongue.
–Parched lips.
–Burning sensation in your throat.
–Bad breath in the morning .
Why do we have dry mouth at night?
As already mentioned, the salivary glands produce less saliva at night.
In the case of people suffering from xerostomia, the main cause of dry mouth at night is their own condition, compounded by lower production of saliva.
In addition, there are other circumstances that can cause dry mouth at night.
–Breathing through the mouth can cause drying and irritation of the mouth and throat. This is the main cause of dry mouth at night in people without xerostomia.
Breathing through the mouth can occur for several reasons:
- Bad breathing habits.
- Breathing difficulties such as deviated septum, colds, sinusitis…
- Use of CPAP masks.
- Use of appliances in the mouth like orthodontic braces, splints…
–Dry environment in the area where you live.
–Heating and air conditioning. These devices dry the environment up too much.
Tips to relieve dry mouth at night
–Place a humidifier in the bedroom, especially if you live somewhere that is very dry or you have heating or air conditioning.
–Avoid alcohol and coffee, particularly in the evening.
–Avoid drinking cow’s milk at night because it makes saliva thicker.
–Avoid eating foods that cause dry mouth, especially at night.
-Before going to bed, drink a cup of herbal tea that stimulates the salivary glands and moisturizes the mouth.
-Use products specifically made for dry mouth at night (mouthwashes, gels moisturizers…). Generally, products for dry mouth stimulate the salivary glands to produce saliva and, while not miraculous, they can provide relief and help you sleep better.
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