Did you know that dry mouth is a common symptom of the natural aging process?
If you find yourself waking up with a mouth that feels like sand paper, you’re not alone. In fact, millions of people across the globe deal with dry mouth while sleeping, and there are a number of causes.
So, what can you do to combat this uncomfortable issue? Let’s dive into the causes first.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, results from a lack of saliva. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, bacteria can run rampant in your mouth. This may lead to tooth decay, infections or even tooth loss.
But here’s the good news—dry mouth itself isn’t a disease but rather a symptom of another condition. Common causes of dry mouth include:
- Natural aging process
- Radiation treatment
- Certain medications
- Smoking
- Diabetes
What You Can Do
Sick of dealing with dry mouth when you wake in the morning? We don’t blame you. Here are a few easy solutions to try.
- Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
- Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Avoid spicy and acidic foods in the hours before bedtime.
- If you’re a smoker or regular consumer of alcohol, consider cutting back on both habits.
- Take a look into the side effects of any regular prescription medication you take. If dry mouth is listed, consider speaking with your medical doctor about a change.
If you’re dealing with persistent dry mouth and can’t seem to get it under control, contact our practice to make an appointment. We’ll do our best to get to the root cause of the issue for you.
