Dry Mouth at Night: The Causes and Management Tips
January 7, 2019 3:17 am Below is an article written by by Diana Tosuni-O’Neill RDH, BS and found on Colgate.com
Have you ever woken up from a sound sleep with a dry mouth at night? Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can be caused by something as simple as sleeping with your mouth open or as complex as a side effect of medication. Read on to find out what may be at the root of your nighttime lip smacking. Signs of Dry Mouth Dry mouth can be as simple as the salivary glands not producing enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is key to washing debris from your teeth and remineralizing tooth enamel. With too little of it, you may be at risk for tooth decay. Aside from increasing your risk for cavities, dry mouth can be uncomfortable. If you are experiencing dry mouth at night, some noticeable morning signs are:

- A sticky feeling in your mouth
- Thick or stringy saliva
- Bad breath
- Dry or sore throat
- Cracked or chapped lips
- Mouth sores
- Changed sense of taste
- Ways to Manage Dry Mouth at Night
Cosmetic, Family General Dentistry Gregory B. Garrett, DDS 2215 Delaney Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 Tel: (910) 763-3679 Website: WilmingtonSmiles.net