If you always wake up with a dry mouth, it’s probably time for you to evaluate your sleeping habits and have yourself examined by a specialist. There are many reasons why dry mouth occurs, but you might be suffering from sleep apnea and mouth breathing problems. A dry mouth can pose bacteria to build up in the mouth, which is why it is important for it to be treated accordingly.
Understanding Dry Mouth Issues
It may not sound like a serious health problem but dry mouth typically implies significant issues such as underlying health conditions and sleep disorders. It is imperative to know the root cause of waking up with a dry mouth to fully understand why it’s happening.
Dry mouth can either be cured or not, depending on the cause of its occurrence. However, there are some ways to manage dry mouth on your own.
Signs And Symptoms
You will notice the following symptoms if you have a dry mouth:
Here are some of the probable reasons why you always wake up with a dry mouth:
Mouth breathing. Many people are unaware of their mouth-breathing habits during sleep. This is a condition where the person sleeps with their mouth open, causing them to breathe through their mouth involuntarily. Sometimes, sleep apnea is also linked to mouth breathing. One type of sleep apnea known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), is commonly diagnosed in people who have dry mouth problems. The main symptom of sleep apnea is snoring loudly during sleep. Visit this site to ask for a consultation.
Sports and exercise. Vigorous activities can result in dry mouth since you are usually inhaling through the mouth while exercising. Be sure to drink plenty of water when working out.
Medications. Many drugs, when taken regularly, can cause effects on the production of saliva in your mouth. Taking multiple medications at a time tends to result in dry mouth after sleep. The only way to resolve this is by consulting the situation with your doctor. It’s important to relieve the dry mouth issues without compromising your medication as well.
Aging. Adults over the age of 65 typically start to experience waking up with a dry mouth more frequently. Technically speaking, aging is not the main reason why they have a dry mouth, it is because, at this age, they start to take medications to manage their health conditions. Diseases for the elderly, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes also contribute to dry mouth.
Alzheimer’s disease. One of the many conditions that people with Alzheimer’s disease usually deal with is dehydration. This is because the disease causes them to have difficulty drinking and communicating to people that they are in need of water. As a result, they wake up with a dry mouth in the morning accompanied by dizziness and abnormal heart rate.
Diabetes. If the cause of dry mouth is diabetes, it’s normally due to 3 different reasons, dehydration, constant changes in your sugar levels, or medication. If you notice that you wake up with a dry mouth very often, talk to your doctor and see if the cause is the medicines that you’re taking.
Cancer treatment. Cancer therapies include radiation that when gets in contact with your head and neck, can cause dry mouth. The reason behind this is because the radiation can have significant damages to the saliva glands.
Alcohol and cigarettes. After consuming alcohol at night, you’re most probably going to wake up with a dry mouth. Alcohol is known to have acid components that cause dehydration and teeth problems. Cigarettes, on the other hand, can make alterations to the production of saliva in your mouth. In fact, according to studies, 40% of smokers are experiencing dry mouth symptoms.
Drug abuse. Apart from the many risks and complications of drug abuse, dry mouth is one of the most common signs that are often diagnosed in them. Drugs like ecstasy and heroin are known to cause dry mouth. Additionally, recreational drug use is also a contributor to poor oral health.
Treatments For Dry Mouth
If you think that your dry mouth symptoms are mainly due to your sleeping habits only, you may opt to try these home remedies:
drink plenty of water
chew gums that are sugar-free
eat sugar-free candies
suck on ice cubes
avoid eating dry and spicy foods
chewing food meticulously before swallowing foods
lessen coffee and alcohol intake
use of humidifier
If the signs and symptoms persist, you might need to pay your doctor a visit. You are most likely to receive a prescription that includes the following products:
special toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral care products
fluoride treatments
mouth sprays
medications
It is also imperative for you to keep your mouth clean and healthy. A dry mouth usually promotes bacteria build-up that often results in infections and thrush. To prevent this from happening, see our doctor immediately.
Risk Factors
Neglecting dry mouth can lead to several oral problems. When the mouth is low in saliva, it’s easier for bacteria to infiltrate and grow. Saliva is an important component that washes away debris, it also keeps the oral tissue wet. Most importantly, it fights off bacteria that cause a cavity.
Without saliva, the teeth become susceptible to decay. Other dental issues might also take place such as:
tooth loss
gum disease
burning mouth syndrome
taste problems
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