Anyone who has ever woken up with xerostomia, also known as dry mouth or cottonmouth, knows how unpleasant and uncomfortable it can be. If it happens frequently, you probably keep a glass or bottle of water on your nightstand so you can quickly and easily get rid of that gross, sticky, dry feeling and go back to sleep, forgetting all about it until the next night.  

What happens if you begin to notice dry mouth occurring at night more and more frequently? 

Effects on Oral Health

Although dry mouth during the night does not necessarily mean you have a medical emergency, you should not ignore it. For the majority of people, having cottonmouth is fairly uncomfortable, and it can raise your chances of certain oral problems developing, suck as tooth decay, gum disease, and general infections. If you have dentures, dry mouth could make wearing them very difficult. 

Occasional bouts of dry mouth that you can explain are not typically a cause for concern. If, however, you find yourself enduring dry mouth regularly, especially every night, it could mean that you have an untreated medical ailment, such as Sjogren’s Syndrome or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth looks and feels different for each person, mainly because the causes for it vary from person to person. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, it could mean that you are getting dry mouth during the night.

• Your mouth feels sticky and dry
• You are thirsty a lot
• You notice sores developing around or on your lips and mouth
• Your throat feels dry and/or scratchy
• You have tingling, dryness, redness, or a burning feeling on your tongue
• You have a sore throat, keep losing your voice, or notice your nose is constantly dry

Why Do I Get Dry Mouth at Night?

Dry mouth is often brought on by one of a few medical issues. You might have to deal with dry mouth occasionally because of a virus, an infection, or simple dehydration. It is essential to be aware of when you notice the previously listed symptoms so that you will be able to work out exactly what is causing your mouth to go dry while you sleep. figure out what causes extremely dry mouth while sleeping. Going over your symptoms and how often you experience them with your dental professional will help them to determine the root of the issue.

San Diego Area Dentistry 

At McBride Dental, we want to help you and your family do everything possible to have and preserve healthy teeth and gums. By scheduling regular appointments with your California family dentist and practicing the oral care techniques we teach you, your whole family will easily maintain teeth that are healthy, strong, and effective.

The San Marcos offices of Dr. Michael McBride are staffed with reputable, professional San Diego dentists that are ready to address any concerns you may have regarding common dental procedures, as well as preventative, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry. We also provide sedation dentistry treatments as an option for our patients with severe dental anxiety.

It is our job to help you and your family establish healthy dental habits to make sure that your teeth will always be there when you need them and your smile will always look great.