Waking up in the morning with a dry mouth is something that no one would want. It can also indicate that something is seriously wrong with your health. It’s good and in your best interest to learn what is causing your dry mouth.
Sometimes it may be possible to get rid of dry mouth and prevent it further. But other times, the cause can be untreatable.
What’s dry mouth?
A dry mouth is when you experience a shortage of saliva because your salivary glands aren’t working well.
Saliva has its importance in maintaining your oral health by killing the bacteria, helping get rid of the food debris, and cleansing your mouth.
A dry mouth can give you:
- sore throat
- difficulty speaking
- the burning sensation inside the mouth
- difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness
- dried nasal passageways
Here are 5 reasons why you may be waking up with a dry mouth.
1. Mouth breathing
The way you sleep may be one of the causes of waking up with a dry mouth. If your mouth is left open while you sleep, you may have a dry mouth. Other reasons can be obstructive sleep apnea or snoring.
2. Medications
Hundreds of medications can give you a dry mouth. If you have a chronic health condition and you regularly take specific medications, you may experience chronic dry mouth. If you are taking too many medicines at a given time, you may be at a higher risk of getting a dry mouth.
Consult your doctor regarding how you can alleviate dry mouth and continue taking your medication. Your doctor may change the prescription so you may not have a dry mouth with your medicine.
3. Aging
You may have a dry mouth as you get older, especially if you’re 65 or more.
Aging may not be the direct cause of dry mouth. But it can happen because as you get older, you may take certain medications to manage your health issues. Some diseases that can add up to dry mouth are diabetes, Parkinson’s disease.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause dry mouth in several ways. You may be the victim if your body is dehydrated or if you have high blood sugar levels.
Working your way to take care of your diabetes can help minimize the chances of getting a dry mouth. See your doctor and ask if they can change your medications to reduce dry mouth.
5. Tobacco and alcohol
The use of tobacco or alcohol is another reason behind waking up with a dry mouth.
Alcohol is acidic in nature and can dehydrate your body. This, in return, can give you a dry mouth and create issues for your teeth. Sometimes you may have a dry mouth after using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
Tobacco can be bad for your salivary production and can lower the flow rate. It can also negatively impact your oral health.
See your doctor
If you have got a severe or frequent dry mouth, see your doctor or dentist. They will identify the cause of your dry mouth and provide suitable treatment.
Schedule an appointment with the dentists at Vintage Smile Family Dentistry by calling (281) 251-7770.