Waking up with a completely dry mouth is uncomfortable, but it’s also a problem because your mouth needs saliva to help fight tooth decay. If your mouth is dry all through the night, it can become irritated and more vulnerable to decay and even infection, which would require emergency dental care. Here are some ways to prevent dry mouth while sleeping:
- Avoid Mouthwash with Alcohol
- Stay Hydrated with Water
- Use a Humidifier
- Adjust Your Diet
If you frequently have dry mouth while you sleep, consider using an alcohol-free fluoride mouthrinse before bedtime to help protect your teeth against decay. You want to avoid rinses containing alcohol because they can dry out your mouth even more and make the problem worse. For help choosing a mouthwash, consult with our team to determine which product is a good fit for you!
Making sure you stay hydrated during the day will help your mouth produce sufficient saliva. If your dry mouth is severe, it might even wake you up at night, so keep a glass of water next to your bedside for quick hydration.
If the air in your bedroom is dry, it will make your dry mouth worse. Use a humidifier at night to keep the air nice and moist. Humidifiers also help with dry skin and dry eyes!
Certain foods can aggravate and irritate dry mouth, so take a look at your diet. If you eat a lot of acidic and spicy foods, try cutting back. You should also reduce your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, especially at night.
Visit Bethea Family Dentistry for Help Preventing Dry Mouth!
Dry mouth while sleeping happens for a variety of reasons. Certain medication can even provoke dryness as a side effect. While annoying, it can lead to more serious issues. If you’re experiencing dry mouth and worry about how it’s impacting your oral health, make an appointment with Dr. Bethea at Bethea Family Dentistry–we can help.