Keeping a glass of water by your bedside can help you temporarily relieve your nighttime dry mouth.
No one can deny the importance of getting a good night’s sleep in staying healthy. However, it can be difficult to get those zzz’s you need when you are waking up in the middle of the night with a case of dry mouth. Today we’re going to talk about some tips for how you can alleviate your uncomfortable case of dry mouth at night so you can get back to sleep.
The Causes of Dry Mouth
Xerostomia (the medical term for dry mouth) has a few different causes overall, but at nighttime, the most common cause of lack of saliva is sleeping with your mouth open or snoring. Stress and side effects from medication can also have a role in dry mouth – in fact, over 400 medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect. Frequent dry mouth is a problem that needs to be addressed by a professional because your mouth always needs saliva. Lack of saliva in your mouth could contribute to tooth decay and make you more likely to develop an oral infection.
Treatment
There are a few things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort of dry mouth before seeing a dentist.
- Cut back on the amounts of caffeine and soda you drink, as well as alcohol and smoking. These exacerbate the discomfort of dry mouth.
- Also, avoid sugary and acidic foods and candy since they couple with dry mouth to greatly increase your risk of tooth decay.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day – additional fluids will aid in the production of saliva.
- At bedtime, brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and use a fluoride rinse instead of a mouthwash with an alcohol base. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can further dry out your mouth and tongue.
- Turn on a humidifier in your bedroom at night so that the air inside isn’t too dry. This is especially helpful during the winter months. Also, keep a glass of water on your nightstand so you can take a sip if your dry mouth wakes you up at night.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Oral Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.