Why is my Mouth so Dry When I Wake up?

Awaking having a dry mouth could be highly uncomfortable. But, unfortunately, it can also cause grave health consequences. Therefore, it’s crucial to pinpoint the root of the problem that causes dry mouth and understand what steps you should take next.

Sometimes, you might be in a position to prevent or treat dry mouth. But, unfortunately, in some instances, the cause of the problem is intractable. But, there are methods to treat dry mouth, even if you cannot eliminate the problem.

Contents hide

6 5. Alzheimer’s disease

7 6. Sjögren’s disease

8 7. Cancer therapy

9 8. Tobacco and alcohol

10 9. Recreational drug use

11 Treatments

11.1 Tips for relieving dry mouth

11.2 Products to ease dry mouth

11.3 Tips for maintaining a healthy oral hygiene

12 When should you see the doctor?

12.1 Oral Thrush

13 CONCLUSION

14 Recap of we just learned

15 Related Topics

What’s dry mouth?

The medical term used to describe dry mouth, xerostomia. Dry mouth is when saliva isn’t as abundant in your mouth because your glands aren’t producing enough saliva. This is referred to as hyposalivation.

The importance of salivary glands is in your health as it:

kills bacteria
Make sure you clean your mouth
aids in washing away the food you’ve eaten

Dry mouth can result in symptoms like:

a moderate up to critical sore throat
Burning in your mouth
difficulties swallowing
difficulties in speaking
hoarseness
the dryness that can be felt in your nasal passageways and the nasal passageways

Dry mouth can cause:

Inadequate nutrition
dental issues, like gum diseases, cavities, and tooth loss
emotional distress, like anxiousness, stress, and depression
A diminished sense of flavor

A variety of factors can lead to dry mouth. Certain factors could result in a dry mouth, whereas others can cause dry mouth for a short period.

Here are 9 reasons why you may wake up with a dry mouth.

1. Mouth breathing

Breathing in the mouth your sleep habits could be the reason you awake with a dry mouth. You could experience dry mouth when you sleep by opening your mouth. This could be caused by:

Habit
Clogged nasal passages
A different health problem

The phenomenon of snoring and sleep apnea with obstruction could result in dry mouth.

A 2006 study by the Trusted Source of more than 1000 adults showed the following: 16.4 percent of people who napped and 31.4 percent of those suffering from sleep apnea that is obstructive experienced dry mouths upon getting up. Only 3.2 percent of people who had not any of these conditions complained of dry mouth.

Furthermore, people who have the most severe sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from dry mouth than those with less severe cases.

A 2020 study by Trusted Source investigated the impact of dry mouth on patients who were recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). Hypopnea occurs when a person is defined by shallow breathing, and the condition causes breathing to stop completely.

The SAHS group comprised 60 people, and the majority of these had dry mouths after getting up. The control group had 54 participants, and only 20.4 percent of them complained of dry mouth.

People suffering from SAHS had a higher risk to experience dry mouths when they had:

A more severe case of the apnea
A higher BMI is a sign of a higher body mass index (BMI)
They used CPAP equipment to treat their condition.

2. Medications

The use of medications is a significant reason for dry mouth. Many of them can cause dry mouth, which includes the ones prescribed to treat:

sinus problems
High blood pressure
mental health issues mental health conditions, for example, depression and depression
Parkinson’s Disease
sleeping conditions
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
an overactive bladder
allergies
neural pain

You could suffer from the chronic dry mouth when you take medication to treat the severe health issue.

There is also a higher risk of having a dry mouth when you are taking several medications simultaneously.

It’s crucial to discuss ways you can ease dry mouth with the physician while also adhering to the medication regimen. For example, it might be possible to alter the frequency of your medication to prevent waking up with a dry mouth.

Your doctor might detect and prescribe a different medication that does not result in dry mouth.

3. Aging

Dry mouth can occur more often as you get older. You may be one of those who suffer from dry mouth, which is 30 percent for adults over 65 years old, or the more than 40 percent of people older than 80 years old who suffer from this condition.

The process of aging itself isn’t the reason for dry mouth. Instead, a dry mouth could be the result of medicines you take to treat other medical conditions.

Certain diseases can also lead to dry mouths, such as diabetics, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease.

4. Diabetes

There are various reasons you might experience dry mouth in the case of an illness like diabetes.

It can happen. It’s possible to experience it if your body is in a state of dehydration and the blood sugar levels remain high. A dry mouth could also be a result because of the medication you are taking.

Making the necessary steps to manage your diabetes can help lower your risk of suffering from dry mouth. First, consult your physician about your medications to determine if you can modify any of them to reduce the dryness of your mouth.

5. Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s Disease may affect the ability to drink enough water or tell others that you require fluids, particularly water. This can cause the loss of water and dry mouths in the morning.

Dry mouth may also be associated with:

dizziness
An increase in heart rate.
delirium

People who have Alzheimer’s Disease can lead to more visits to the emergency department and hospital admissions.

Get plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. If you are caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease, you should encourage them to drink plenty of water all day long.

Be aware that changes to the weather or indoor conditions could make drinking the water you drink more challenging.

6. Sjögren’s disease

Sjogren’s Disease is an autoimmune disease that can affect your connective tissues and glands near your eyes and mouth. One of the most common symptoms of this Disease is dry, dry, or dry mouth. This condition is typically experienced by those who have gone through menopausal symptoms.

While there’s no cure to an autoimmune condition, the physician will work with you to manage your symptoms.

Other autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus can be present alongside Sjogren’s Disease.

7. Cancer therapy

Treatment for neck and head cancers can also lead to dry mouth. The radiation directed towards the neck and head may permanently damage your mouth’s salivary glands and cause long-term dry mouth.

Chemotherapy may cause temporary dry mouth. It can happen immediately after cancer treatment or be present for a few months or even years following.

8. Tobacco and alcohol

Dry mouth can occur after drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.

Alcohol is acidic and may cause dehydration, which can cause dry mouth and issues with your teeth. It is possible to suffer from dry mouth after using mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

The consumption of tobacco can alter the flow of saliva. It could also impact the health of your mouth.

A study conducted in 2010 by the Trusted source of 200 participants smoking cigarettes, 100 smokers, and 100 nonsmokers. It revealed 39% of smokers had dry mouth, compared to 12 percent of nonsmokers. Smokers were also at an increased risk of:

cavities
gum disease
loose teeth

9. Recreational drug use

Ethosynthym, heroin, and methamphetamine can cause dry mouth. This is because these medications affect saliva flow inside your mouth, similar to tobacco.

The use of substances can affect your dental health and capacity to keep up with proper oral hygiene. Methamphetamine, in particular, is highly acidic, and it can cause rapid tooth decay.

Treatments

Many remedies are available to ease the dry mouth symptoms, regardless of the cause that isn’t cured.

Tips for relieving dry mouth

Try to ease dry mouth by using homemade remedies like:

chewing gum that is sugar-free
drinking sugar-free candy
Sucking on the ice chips
Staying hydrated
drinking water during meals
Be sure to chew thoroughly before swallowing
Avoiding spicy, dry, or salty food items
Beware of caffeine and alcohol.
Utilizing a humidifier with cold air in your bedroom

Products to ease dry mouth

Your physician may also recommend products to stimulate salivary glands and alleviate dry mouth. They include:

Gels and other treatments for the skin, including specialized toothpaste and mouthwashes
treatment with fluoride
Mouth and nasal sprays
Oral medications

Tips for maintaining a healthy oral hygiene

If you suffer from a dry mouth, you need to ensure that you keep your mouth healthy and clean. This will help you prevent dental issues and yeast infections, such as dental thrush.

Tips to ensure your mouth is healthy to include:

Cleaning your teeth at least twice per day using a soft-bristled brush and a soft toothpaste
using flossing as well as using fluoride every day
going to your dentist frequently to get cleanings
drinking yogurt frequently, which could help to prevent the growth of yeast
rinse your mouth after using inhaled drugs
maintaining blood sugar levels in check

When should you see the doctor?

If you experience frequent dry mouth or are severe, consult your physician. They’ll try to identify the reason for dry mouth and then determine the best treatment option.

Be sure to report any oral signs which are related to dry mouth. Examine for changes within your mouth like:

patchy patches that are discolored
ulcers
symptoms of gum disease and tooth decay

If you don’t have a primary care physician, you can look up the available doctors in your area using Healthline’s Healthline Search tool.

At your appointment, your doctor may:

Review the physical signs you are experiencing, such as checking your mouth for saliva production, sores, decay of your teeth and gums, and any other issues.
inquire about your medical health history
Request a blood sample or request a biopsy
You can measure the amount of saliva you release
Conduct an imaging test to examine the salivary glands.
Review all of your prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter remedies and medications as well as supplements
inquire about whether you smoke or use recreational substances.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush or oral candidiasis is a commonly occurring fungal infection that can be caused by dry mouth. You might be suffering from this yeast infection and dry mouth because your body doesn’t produce enough saliva to remove the fungus that causes it.

A dentist or doctor could examine your saliva levels to determine your risk of developing oral thrush.

Antifungal medication can be used to control the thrush. In addition, maintaining good oral hygiene and regularly washing your mouth daily with salt water can decrease the chance of getting the infection.

CONCLUSION

There are a variety of reasons you may wake up with a dry mouth. For example, the way you sleep, the medications, or an unrelated condition could cause dryness in your mouth.

If you’re worried, consult with your physician to find the reason you have a dry mouth. They’ll be able to suggest the treatment that best meets the medical requirements of yours.

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