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Dry Mouth at Night: Causes and Treatment Options
Posted on 3/21/2022 by Evan
Dry mouth at night is a common problem experienced and many numerous factors can cause it. This blog post will discuss the causes of dry mouth at night and the various treatment options available.
What Causes Dry Mouth at Night?
There are a number of possible causes of dry mouth at night. The most common is medication, particularly those used to treat depression and anxiety, and certain types of drugs taken for pain relief. Antihistamines have also been known to cause nighttime dry mouth in some cases. Medications that can contribute to or exacerbate the underlying condition causing your symptoms will need to be reviewed by your healthcare provider before any treatment options can take place.
Other potential causes include dehydration due to stress, smoking/nicotine consumption, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, gum disease, diabetes, age systemic diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, cancer hyperthyroidism xerostomia (this refers to a decrease in saliva production- which may necessarily be related to salivary gland dysfunction) other medications (i.e., diuretics, heart medication).
Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent Dry Mouth at Night?
While the causes of dry mouth are not always preventable, there are some things you can do to minimize your chances of experiencing this problem: avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water throughout the day- especially during hot months avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages limit alcohol consumption if possible cut back on smoking or nicotine intake use a humidifier in your home try over-the-counter remedies for dry mouth consider using an oral irrigator brush gently twice per day before bed avoiding spicy foods that may further irritate your condition see your doctor about any medications you're taking as they could be contributing to or exacerbating your dry mouth.
How Is Dry Mouth Treated?
There are a variety of treatment options available for dry mouth, depending on the underlying cause: drink plenty of fluids, use a humidifier in your home, suck on ice chips or hard candy, avoid caffeine and alcohol consumption if possible, use over-the-counter saliva substitutes rinse your mouth with water often gargle with salt water brush your teeth twice per day using a soft toothbrush see your dentist if symptoms persist. Dry mouth at night can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem to experience. However, there are many treatment options available that can help you find relief.
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Dry mouth at night is a common problem experienced and many numerous factors can cause it. This blog post will discuss the causes of dry mouth at night and the various treatment options available.