People Whose Mouths Feel Dry at Night: 8 Possible Reasons
Waking up with a dry mouth is common and usually isn’t dangerous, but persistent dry mouth can sometimes point to an underlying problem.
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Mouth breathing — a blocked nose, allergies, snoring, or simply sleeping with your mouth open can dry the mouth overnight.
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Dehydration — not getting enough fluids, heavy sweating, illness, or excessive alcohol can contribute.
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Medications — many medicines can reduce saliva, including some antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, decongestants, and pain medicines.
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Diabetes — persistent thirst and frequent urination together with dry mouth can be symptoms of high blood sugar.
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Anxiety or stress — these can contribute to a dry-mouth sensation.
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Smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine — these can worsen dryness.
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Sjögren’s syndrome — an autoimmune condition that can cause persistent dry mouth along with dry eyes.
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Sleep apnea — particularly if you also snore loudly, wake gasping or choking, or feel unusually tired during the day.
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What you can try tonight
Keep water beside your bed and take regular sips during the day. Sugar-free gum or lozenges can stimulate saliva. Good dental hygiene is especially important because reduced saliva increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems.
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If your mouth remains dry for several weeks, makes eating or speaking difficult, or occurs with frequent urination, excessive thirst, or dry eyes, arrange a medical or dental evaluation.
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Don’t stop a prescribed medication on your own because you suspect it is causing dry mouth; ask your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.
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