Waking up with a dry mouth and a sore throat is unpleasant, but it’s also a sign that you could be struggling with a deeper issue. 

 

Dry mouth during sleep, also referred to as xerostomia, can not only disrupt the quality of your sleep but also lead to oral health issues like gum disease and cavities. No, thanks!

 

Whether it’s caused by mouth breathing at night, a health condition, medication, or other lifestyle factors, the good news is that there are many easily accessible remedies for dry mouth.

 

In this article, we’ll explore the common causes, symptoms, and risks of dry mouth, and then provide you with practical remedies to help keep your mouth feeling healthy and moist every night!

 

What Are The Causes of Dry Mouth?

 

Dry mouth at night happens when saliva production is reduced or when saliva evaporates too quickly from the mucosal membranes. 

 

This can result from nighttime mouth breathing, sleep apnea, dehydration, or the use of certain medications such as those found in cancer treatment, as well as antihistamines and anti-depressants. Medical conditions like diabetes or salivary gland disorders can also cause dry mouth.

 

Factors like feeling overly stressed, aging, and even just sleeping with your mouth open can exacerbate the problem.

 

Symptoms of Dry Mouth at Night

 

The symptoms of dry mouth can be varied with different levels of severity. Here are some of the most common dry mouth symptoms you might experience:

 

• A dry but sometimes “sticky” feeling in your mouth or throat
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking due to a lack of saliva
• Cracked lips or a burning tongue
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• A sore throat in the mornings

 

Risks of Dry Mouth

 

Ignoring dry mouth can lead to significant oral health issues:

 

• Tooth decay: What many people don’t realize is that saliva plays a vital role in neutralizing acids in your mouth and protecting your teeth. If you don’t have enough saliva, your tooth enamel becomes vulnerable to these acids, leading to decay.
• Gum disease: A drier environment in your mouth encourages bacterial growth, increasing the risk of gum disease and inflammation.
• Bad breath: A lack of saliva can mean that odor-causing bacteria are allowed to thrive, resulting in bad breath. 
• Sleep quality: Waking up multiple times to sip water to try and relieve dry mouth symptoms can disrupt your sleep.
• Mouth infections: Chronic mouth dryness may even increase the risk of sores, thrush, and other oral infections due to a lack of protective saliva that usually protects the health of your oral microbiome. 

 

Home Remedies for Dry Mouth While Sleeping

 

Keeping your mouth moist and improving saliva production overnight can alleviate discomfort.

 

Prevent Mouth Breathing with Mouth Tape

 

Mouth breathing is one of the most common causes of dry mouth. When you breathe through your mouth, the increased airflow over the mucosal membranes in your mouth allows saliva to evaporate too quickly.

 

The #1 solution? Mouth tape! By gently sealing your lips closed, the practice of mouth taping helps to prevent mouth breathing while promoting healthy nasal breathing. 

 

For many, this simple intervention can completely eliminate the symptoms of dry mouth, not to mention the other incredible benefits of mouth taping for sleep and overall wellness. 

 

Mouth taping is also particularly effective for individuals with mild obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring.

 

To get your hands on the best mouth tape for sleeping, choose Dream Recovery, made with organic bamboo silk and hypoallergenic adhesive for the most comfortable yet effective mouth taping experience.

 

Say goodbye to dry mouth with Dream Recovery Mouth Tape.

Stay Hydrated

 

Staying hydrated helps your body naturally produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, reducing the likelihood of dry mouth during sleep. 

 

Drink plenty of water consistently throughout the day to maintain proper hydration and support saliva production.

 

In the evening, be mindful of your beverage choices. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea can dehydrate your body and exacerbate dryness. Instead, aim to only include water or herbal teas.

 

Use a Humidifier

 

Adding moisture to the air in your bedroom with a humidifier is another way to help prevent dryness and to ensure your mouth and throat stay comfortable throughout the night. 

 

Dry air (especially in colder months or in homes with central heating) can exacerbate the symptoms of dry mouth even more.

 

Therefore the added moisture from a humidifier can reduce the likelihood of waking up with a sore throat or cracked lips. It can also prevent your nasal passages from drying out - the common cause of a stuffy nose.

 

To maximize the benefits of a humidifier, try to position the humidifier near your bed and maintain an optimal humidity level of around 40–60%.

 

Don’t forget to clean your humidifier regularly, to avoid the buildup of mold or bacteria.

 

Try Dry Mouth Toothpaste

 

You can also try incorporating specialized dry mouth toothpaste or oral rinses into your daily routine to combat dryness.

 

These products are formulated with ingredients that help to maintain moisture creating a soothing, protective coating inside your mouth. 

 

Many also include ingredients such as xylitol to stimulate saliva production, helping your body naturally counteract dryness while protecting against tooth decay too.

 

Using these products consistently (especially before bedtime) can help you maintain oral health and wake up with a more comfortable mouth.

 

Address Underlying Health Conditions

 

If your dry mouth continues to be an issue despite trying mouth taping and other at-home remedies, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, or a salivary gland disorder.

 

It may also be a side effect of certain medications, including those used to treat cancer, high blood pressure, allergies, or depression. 

 

Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to identify and address the root cause of your chronic dry mouth. 

 

Ways to Prevent Dry Mouth

• Apply mouth tape before sleeping to prevent mouth breathing.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated and promote healthy saliva production.

• Practice nasal breathing exercises to improve airflow through your nose.
• Avoid sugary or acidic foods before bed, as they can irritate your mouth.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to moisten the air you’re breathing.
  
  

FAQ

 

How do I stop dry mouth while sleeping?

 

To stop dry mouth while sleeping you can try using mouth tape, setting up a humidifier in your bedroom, and ensuring you’re properly hydrated before going to bed. Sleeping on your side can also help to prevent mouth breathing. 

 

What causes a dry mouth at night?

 

One of the most common causes of dry mouth at night is usually mouth breathing while you sleep. Mouth breathing can increase the rate at which saliva evaporates, which can lead to dry mouth.

 

Is having a dry mouth a serious symptom?

 

Having a dry mouth can be a serious symptom of an underlying health condition such as obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, or a salivary gland condition. However, if your dry mouth is easily treated with at-home remedies, it’s usually nothing to worry about. 

 

What is a good home remedy for a dry mouth while sleeping?

 

A good home remedy for a dry mouth while sleeping is mouth tape. That’s because mouth tape gets to one of the most common root causes of dry mouth known as mouth breathing. Other good home remedies for dry mouth while sleeping include drinking plenty of water, using toothpaste and mouth rinses designed for dry mouth, and placing a humidifier in your bedroom.

 

What are the common dry mouth symptoms?

 

The common dry mouth symptoms include a dry, sticky feeling in your mouth, cracked lips, bad breath, oral health issues like cavities and gum disease, difficulty swallowing, and waking up with a sore throat.

Final Thoughts

 

Dry mouth during sleep can affect your oral health, sleep quality, and overall well-being, but it doesn’t have to be that way!

 

By understanding the root causes of dry mouth like mouth breathing or dehydration, you can take proactive steps towards alleviating this uncomfortable condition.

 

Whether it’s trying mouth tape, drinking more water, or using a humidifier, these simple strategies can help to prevent dry mouth while sleeping and improve your overall well-being.

 

Eliminate the root cause of dry mouth with Dream Recovery Mouth Tape.