Waking up with a dry mouth can feel uncomfortable as it can disrupt your sleep and overall health as well. A dry mouth overnight can be caused by medications, health conditions, and breathing from your mouth instead of your nose.
A dry mouth might sound like a minor annoyance but it needs to be treated if it persists for several days. Dry mouth if left untreated can affect plenty of things such as oral health, speaking, and eating.
Consequently, let us learn some tips to help you get rid of dry mouth while sleeping in this blog below.
Causes Of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth while sleeping is a common concern among adults. One reason for this might be a decrease in saliva as you age. But there are many medications also which cause dry mouth at night and make the problem worse. Let’s have an insight into the causes of dry mouth including:
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Chemotherapy
- Nerve damage
- Usage of Drugs
- Medications like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and others
Tips To Get Rid Of Dry Mouth
Good oral hygiene
Maintaining oral hygiene goes a long way in preventing dry mouth while sleeping. Some of the good dental hygiene habits include brushing and flossing twice a day, along with using alcohol-free toothpaste. Doing so will stimulate saliva production which in turn will prevent dry mouth.
Stay hydrated
One of the simplest and easiest ways to get rid of dry mouth at night is to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water throughout the day will not only keep your body hydrated but will also lead to the saliva flow. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water in a day and also keep one glass by your bedside.
Limit caffeine intake
Another effective way to get rid of dry mouth at night is by limiting your caffeine intake. Firstly, monitor your caffeine intake and if found out too much, consider reducing your caffeine consumption as caffeine makes dry mouth worse.
Humidify your bedroom
A dry sleeping environment can also sometimes lead to dry mouth. The best way to deal with this is to use a humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to the air. Adding a humidifier to your bedroom can be especially beneficial in winter or in areas where the indoor climate happens to be dry.
Avoid certain foods
Some certain foods and beverages can lead to dry mouth especially if consumed before sleeping. These foods include alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, and salty foods in the evening as these reduce saliva production thereby leading to dry mouth.
Chew sugar-free gums
Chewing sugar-free gums or candies leads to saliva production which in turn can increase the moisture in your mouth and help you get rid of a dry mouth.
Address nasal congestion
The most important thing to prevent experiencing dry mouth while sleeping is addressing nasal congestion. Nasal congestion means breathing from your mouth which can lead to dry mouth. Instead of breathing from the mouth, consider doing it from the nose. You can also address nasal congestion by using sprays or medications but make sure to consult your healthcare provider.
Avoid mouthwash
Using alcohol mouthwash should be avoided as it leads to dry mouth. Instead of this, opt for alcohol-free mouthwash.
Conclusion
A dry mouth while sleeping is frustrating and can disrupt your sleep but can be easily treated also. Stick to the tips stated above to get rid of dry mouth while sleeping. Consider consulting a healthcare professional if the problem of dry mouth persists.