Dry Mouth at Night: The Causes, Home Remedies and Treatment

Last updated on July 2nd, 2021 at 05:17 pm

Dry mouth happens to be a common condition that usually occurs at night.

Medically known as xerostomia, the dry mouth is quite an uncomfortable condition because of the dry and sticky feeling in the mouth.

The mouth needs saliva to cleanse and moisten itself and digest the food.

Saliva is also responsible for preventing mouth infection by controlling the fungi and the bacteria in the mouth.

When there is a lot of bacteria in the mouth, you do not make enough saliva and the mouth eventually becomes dry.

Fortunately, there are quite a few treatments available that you can embrace to fight against dry mouth.

Causes of Dry Mouth at Night :

Dry mouth at night can be very common in people over the age of 65 years.

This is because with age the production of saliva goes down to a great extent to almost 40 percent.  

If you notice you have a dry mouth just at night, then it can be the nasal obstructions that can force you to breathe through the mouth leading to dryness in the mouth.

Not only that, almost 60 percent of the regular medications can lead to dryness in the mouth. This can include the following –

• Antihistamines
• Blood pressure drugs
• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety drugs

The other causes can include –

• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Recreational Drug Use
• Nerve Damage

You should mention it to your doctor if you are experiencing dry mouth at night.

That way you will get to know about the side effects of the drugs you are using and the various lifestyle choices that you are taking.

Home Remedies for Dry Mouth at Night :

Here are some lifestyle changes and antidotes that will help those who suffer from dry mouth to some extent.

To completely eradicate the problem of dry mouth at night, the underlying cause of the condition must be detected first.

Here are some tips. Just take a look.

1. Avoid Spicy and Acidic Foods :

You should avoid foods that can stimulate or enhance this condition.

The spicy and acidic foods can be specifically quite irritating in this case.

2. Keep a Glass of Water on Your Bedside Table :

You must keep a glass of water beside your bed in case you wake up at midnight and find your mouth to be dry.

3. Drink Lots of Water :

Staying hydrated can help you to get relief from dry mouth as dehydration plays an active role in creating a dry mouth.

So increase your water intake to avoid this.

4. Use a Humidifier :

Your dry mouth can be exaggerated if you breathe in through the mouth.  

That is why use a humidifier that will enhance the moisture in the room.  

When you breathe in the air that is treated, it will help to cut down on the symptoms significantly at the time when you are asleep.

You should place a humidifier in the rooms where you spend the most time in like the workplace and the bedroom.

5. Limit the Alcohol Use and Avoid Caffeine :

Alcohol can dehydrate which can contribute to causing dry mouth.

Try drinking water instead of alcohol when experiencing dry mouth.

Caffeinated beverages can also be quite dehydrating.

Dry mouth can be caused by drinking caffeinated coffee and tea.

6. Quit Smoking :

Dry mouth can be caused or exacerbated by smoking.

This is because one of the negative effects of cigarettes is slowing down the saliva production of the body.

If you are having a tough time quitting smoking, you should better ask your dentist to guide you regarding where to start.

7. Avoid Breathing Through the Mouth :

Your dry mouth can be made worse and can cause several oral issues.

You should try to breathe through the nose more than your mouth especially when you are experiencing a kind of discomfort called the dry mouth.

8. Chew the Sugarless Gums :

The sugar-free gums can offer some kind of short-term relief from the dry mouth.

This includes products like lozenges, cough drops, and other candies.

Medical Treatment for the Dry Mouth at Night :

The underlying cause of dry mouth is what calls for medical treatments.

That is why treatment for dry mouth at night can vary from one person to another.

If the dry mouth at night is due to the medications that you are taking, and the home remedies are not of much help, your doctor can switch to new medications or adjust the dosages.

Once you book an appointment with the reputed dentist in the nearest dental clinic, she can prescribe certain medicines that help to produce more saliva in your body or can recommend fluoride trays to wear at night for preventing cavities.

Some options are available over-the-counter and can be recommended by the dentist for your use like dry mouth toothpaste, alcohol-free mouthwash, artificial saliva, and lozenges that stimulate saliva production.

If your dry mouth is because of some underlying disease or a nasal problem, your doctor can recommend surgery or special devices to take care of the problem.

Conclusion :

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dry mouth at night FIC: Pixabay