You might wake up from time to time with a dry mouth, but if you suffer from it every day, it can be very concerning. Not only can it impact your morning and the rest of your day, but it could also signal the presence of some potentially serious health conditions. So if you’re waking up with dry throat, here are some real explanations for what could be causing it.
Why You Have A Sore Throat In The Morning: Explained
The ultimate reason you have dry mouth in the morning is that you aren’t producing enough saliva.
Saliva is important for several reasons, including keeping your mouth, throat, and oral tissues lubricated. But it also has antibacterial properties that control bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist environment inside your mouth. Therefore, not having enough saliva dries out the soft tissues in your mouth and throat. This condition is known as xerostomia, and symptoms include:
- Dryness and discomfort
- A hoarse voice that takes time to warm up
- Sore throat and problems swallowing, can even be painful
- Bad breath that may persist despite brushing
- A burning or stinging sensation
If not treated, xerostomia can cause complications. These can include dental problems due to bacterial buildup, loss of sense of taste or smell, depression, and a change or dysfunction of your voice.
Why Am I Waking Up With Dry Throat?
The most common reason for waking up with dry throat is sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea causes you to be unable to breathe properly while you sleep. It also forces you to breathe through your mouth, which causes it to dry out throughout the night.
Another common reason is the use of medications that have dry mouth as a side effect. Interestingly, more medicines have this side effect than you might expect, including medications for sleep disorders, nausea, high blood pressure, depression, and mood disorders.
It’s also common to wake up with a dry mouth as you get older. By the age of 65, the percentage of people with xerostomia increases compared to the rest of the population.
Individuals receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer can also suffer. Their salivary glands produce less saliva or stop working altogether.
Conclusion: Ways To Treat Dry Mouth and Dry Throat
There are a few ways you can stop waking up with a dry mouth:
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- Use a CPAP/BiPAP machine for sleep apnea.
These machines provide gentle pressure to keep your airways open and clear while you sleep. They often feature humidifiers to increase comfort and provide moisture to your nasal and oral passages.
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- Use a humidifier in your room.
Low humidity and dry weather can contribute to xerostomia. Using a humidifier close to your bed or in your room can help keep the air moist, which means it’s less likely to dry your throat and mouth out.
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- Chew sugar-free gum.
This can increase saliva production, which can help keep your mouth and throat lubricated.
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- Quit smoking.
Smoking exposes your mouth and throat to toxic chemicals that can dry out your mouth.
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- Stay hydrated.
Drinking more water is a great idea for your overall health, but it can also help increase saliva production that has dwindled due to dehydration.
If these tips don’t help with your dry throat, it’s a good idea to contact a qualified oral or dental health professional. They can help you diagnose and solve the problem so that you can wake up feeling refreshed.
Pasadena Dental Doc offers state-of-the-art dental care with fair, transparent prices. We specialize in a wide variety of dental procedures. We also have flexible office hours and accept most insurance plans. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to call us at (713) 947-0293. We pride ourselves on being the best dentist in Pasadena, TX.
BY GARGLE