Dry mouth literally means there is a lack of moisture in your mouth. There are many causes of dry mouth, such as diabetes, a throat infection, Alzheimer’s, and even autoimmune diseases. Smoking increases the likelihood of dry mouth, as does drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Of course, constantly breathing through your mouth also dries the humidity in your mouth.
It is worth noting that some braces can also increase the risk of dry mouth, that’s why specialists, such as this Little Bay Invisalign specialist, recommend you sleep with your mouth closed or use a mouthguard.
Dry mouth, or the lack of saliva, also decreases your ability to remove bacteria from around your teeth. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you’re experiencing any of these dental issues, you should check out this dentist In pasadena. It is also very inconvenient to have to get up in the middle of every night for a glass of water just because you are experiencing dry mouth.
The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent dry mouth while you are sleeping.
Hydration
This is the most obvious solution. The more hydrated you are the harder it is for your saliva glands to reduce production. A great way of staying hydrated is to sip water throughout the day. You should also keep a bottle of water next to your bed. If you wake up feeling dry you can sip it to save getting out of bed.
Oral Care
A key part of preventing dry mouth when sleeping is using the right oral hygiene products. You should always use toothpaste with fluoride in it. This helps to strengthen your teeth and causes you to salivate, boosting saliva production.
You can also purchase mouthwash that is specifically created to help with dry mouth. It is a good idea to use this just before bed.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health in general and increases your risk of a variety of diseases, including cancer. It also dries your mouth. Stopping smoking can help to prevent you from getting a dry mouth. As a bonus food will taste better and your overall health is likely to improve.
Acidic Foods
Acidic foods knock the balance in your mouth and leave you with a dry mouth. They also increase the amount of acid present in your mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
It makes sense to avoid acidic and spicy foods near bedtime, this will reduce the risk of dry mouth overnight.
Medication
There are an array of medications available over-the-counter or on prescription. You should start by speaking to your local pharmacist to see what they recommend. If this doesn’t work you can book an appointment with your doctor and get a prescription that will help with dry mouth.
Of course, your doctor will also help you to identify the cause of your dry mouth and advise if there is anything you can do to prevent it from happening. It is not just a problem with age, chemotherapy, nerve damage, diabetes, and thrush can all cause dry mouth. Get the help you need today and resolve your dry mouth issue.