Have you ever wondered why is my mouth dry? Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth is a condition when the salivary glands in your mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. It is not a long-lasting issue; rather it’s a short-term problem that can be experienced occasionally. A dry mouth can make chewing, talking and swallowing difficult. It is most common during the night while sleeping. If you are sleeping with your mouth wide open or breathing with your mouth, you can experience dry mouth. To treat dry mouth, it’s crucial to understand what causes dry mouth.
What is Dry Mouth a Sign of?
Dry mouth is experienced occasionally when the salivary gland doesn’t produce enough saliva to moisturise the mouth. A dry mouth is a sign of -
- You need to drink enough water during the day. Not being hydrated can cause dry mouth.
- Several medications cause dry mouth because of the various substances included in it. Medicines for depression, anxiety, pain, heart disease, asthma and epilepsy can cause side effects for dry mouth.
- Chemotherapy and other radiation during cancer treatment can affect saliva production as it changes the nature of saliva production in your mouth.
- Dry mouth is a sign of various health problems such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Common Causes of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be experienced during the day as well as at night. However, it is most commonly seen at night while sleeping. Check out what causes dry mouth.
Dehydration- Not drinking enough water regularly can cause dry mouth at night.
Medications- Taking medicine without a prescription can dry your mouth. Certain medicines have various properties that can cause dry mouth.
Breathing through your mouth- Breathing through your mouth can cause dry mouth at night as you are swallowing air which dries out the mouth.
Cancer Treatment- Radiation used over the head and neck during the treatment can damage the salivary gland limiting the production of saliva.
Ageing- Older people experience dry mouth because of medication, several bodily changes and long-term health problems.
Tobacco or alcohol use- Smoking, Chewing tobacco and alcohol intake can dry out your mouth.
Causes of Dry Mouth at Night
Understanding what causes dry mouth at night is important. The causes of dry mouth at night are-
Dehydration- When you don’t drink enough water throughout the day, you experience dry mouth at night. Your body lacks water percentage resulting in dehydration and limiting the production of saliva.
Breathing through your mouth- When you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose, you swallow air into your mouth causing dryness. It is always advisable to breathe through the nose while sleeping.
Limit alcohol or tobacco consumption- Regular drinking and smoking causes dry mouth as it kills the moisture in your mouth.
Medications- Several medications prescribed or unprescribed result in dry mouth.
What Causes Extremely Dry Mouth While Sleeping?
Multiple factors contribute to dryness of the mouth at night while sleeping.
- Not drinking enough water throughout the day.
- Breathing through the mouth.
- Taking high doses of medicines.
- Medical Treatments.
- Sleeping in a humid environment.
- Facing extreme sweat.
- Several health issues.
- Consumption of alcohol or tobacco.
- Sleeping disorder.
- Nerve damage.
Managing and Preventing Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be prevented in many ways. Xerostomia or dry mouth is an occasional issue and doesn't normally last long. It can be fixed immediately. After trying all the below listed remedies, if you still face dry mouth you must immediately seek medical assistance from a dental professional.
Hydrate yourself- One of the most common causes is dehydration. Drink plenty of water regularly. It washes away the bacteria and keeps the moisture in your mouth.
Limit alcohol, tobacco and caffeine- Limit your caffeine consumption on a regular basis. Stop consuming toxic substances like alcohol and tobacco.
Use a mouth freshener- Use a good non-alcohol based mouth freshener for immediate moisture in your mouth. Check Perfora’s mouth freshener.
Use a humidifier- If you feel dryness in your mouth at night, you can use a humidifier near your sleeping area.
Chew sugarless gums- Chewing sugarless gums, lozenges and candy stimulate saliva production.
Use alcohol-free mouthwash - Perfora’s alcohol-free mouthwash works best to moisturise your mouth.
Conclusion
Dry mouth is a common condition that most people go through but it is also easily fixable. If you experience dryness for a longer duration then it is advisable to consult a dentist and seek medical assistance. Now that you know about the causes of dry mouth you must also check out our blog on everything you need to know about dry mouth & how to get rid of dry mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Mouth: -
1. What's the biggest cause of dry mouth?
Answer- Dehydration, breathing through the mouth, taking certain medicines, alcohol consumption, medical treatment and ageing are the biggest causes of dry mouth.
2. Why is the top of my mouth so dry?
Answer- It is because the salivary gland is not producing saliva to moisturise your mouth.
3. How do I stop getting a dry mouth?
Answer- You can immediately control dry mouth by drinking water, using a mouth freshener, humidifying your room, chewing gums and using a mouthwash.