Dry mouth (xerostomia) may look like an annoying thing that happens at night from time to time. But if it happens regularly, it has to be treated. Left untreated, Dry Mouth can affect an assortment of things, such as eating, talking, and your overall oral health.
Saliva is essential for tooth and gum health, and enzymes in saliva help aid in digestion. If your mouth is dry throughout the night, your oral health might be affected without you even knowing it.
Indicators of persistent dry mouth during the night can comprise:
- Thick or stringy saliva
- poor breath
- changes in your sense of taste
- problems while wearing dentures
- difficulty swallowing or chewing
- sore throat
- grooved tongue
When there is not enough saliva, there can be an increase in plaque from the mouth as well as thrush and mouth sores.
What causes dry mouth at night?
Dry mouth at night can be extremely common, particularly in people over the age of 65. This is because, as we age, spit production drops down by as much as 40 percent.
If you observe the problem only at night time, the cause might be a sinus obstruction that compels you to breathe through your mouth only.
Many medicines may also cause dry mouth or make the problem worse. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 60 percent of regularly prescribed medications may have a dry-mouth unwanted impact. Including:
If you’re having dry mouth during the night, it is worth mentioning to your physician. Collectively, you can speak through your lifestyle options and any side effects of drugs you are taking.
The Way to treat dry mouth at home
- Keep a glass of water near your bed in case you wake up at night and your mouth is dry.
- Prevent using mouthwash which includes alcohol, because this can be drying.
- Use a humidifier in your room at night to help maintain moisture from the atmosphere.
- Attempt to consciously breathe through your nose, not your own mouth.
- Monitor your caffeine consumption and, if needed, reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can make dry mouth .
- Stop using tobacco (smoking or chewing).
- Try to steer clear of over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants, which may dry out your mouth.
- Sip water throughout the afternoon also decrease consumption of salty foods, especially at nighttime.
Medical treatments for dry mouth at night
Any healthcare treatments are determined by the root cause of the dry mouth, so treatment for night dry mouth can differ from person to person.
If your dry skin at night is because of drugs you are taking, and home remedies are not helping, your doctor may want to change your drugs or correct dose.
Ekdantam Dental Clinic’s dentist might prescribe certain medications that help your body produce saliva, or in certain situations, fit you with fluoride trays to wear at night to help prevent cavities.
They might also advocate certain over-the-counter alternatives you can utilize:
If your dry mouth is because of a nasal problem like a badly deviated septum which causes one to sleep with your mouth open so as to breathe, then your doctor may suggest surgery. Symptoms linked to nasal obstruction from the deviated septum normally resolve afterward.
What’s the outlook for dry skin at night?
Dry mouth at night could be annoying and embarrassing, it can also be harmful to your oral health. Many cases of dry mouth may be treated with lifestyle and medication changes. Less frequently, it might be caused by a deviated septum and need more intensive therapy.
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It’s important to deal with the cause of your dry mouth so you can keep your oral health.