Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is caused when there is not enough saliva produced by the salivary glands. Everyone wakes up in the middle of the night with dry mouth from time-to-time, but when the problem is reoccurring, it can signify that treatment is necessary.
Causes
Several hundred medications have dry mouth as a potential side effect, so this is a common cause. Women are prone to dry mouth from wearing lipstick which adheres to the teeth, according to MayoClinic.com. Radiation therapy, nerve damage, chemotherapy and certain diseases also increase dry mouth. Most experts agree that aging correlates with a dry mouth, but some argue against this being a direct cause.
Identification
Having a dry mouth at night is noticeable in the morning when a person wakes up with a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth. Your mouth and throat may also burn and your tongue may feel dry. This dryness can cause difficulties swallowing, speaking, chewing and tasting, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. You may also develop mouth sores, especially in areas where your teeth rub against your cheeks if you sleep on the side of your face. Bad breath is also a common complaint with dry mouth.
Treatment
To treat dry mouth, a dentist may prescribe pilocarpine or cevimeline to stimulate saliva production, according to MayoClinic.com. The increased saliva production not only treats the symptoms of dry mouth, but also helps with digestion and prevents tooth decay. If you frequently wake up with a dry mouth, drink plenty of water during the day and keep a glass of water next to you at bedtime. Keep a humidifier in your room to keep the air from becoming dry, which can also lead to dry mouth. If you are taking a medication that has dry mouth as a side effect, talk to your doctor about adjusting the dose or switching medications. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, using artificial saliva can also be beneficial.
Prevention
Avoid all tobacco, products with alcohol, and caffeinated beverages, since these can all cause dryness of the mouth. Products with alcohol include mouthwash, so be sure to check ingredients before purchasing or using a mouthwash. Breathing through your mouth instead of your nose can also cause symptoms of dry mouth, so talking to your doctor about snoring prevention can also help.
Considerations
If your dry mouth is experienced in combination with dry eyes, fatigue, low-grade fever, nosebleeds, rashes, or shortness of breath, speak to a doctor, because you may have Sjorgen's syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack its own moisture-producing glands, according to Family Gentle Dental. This is often misdiagnosed with diabetes, lupus and several other illnesses, according to Family Gentle Dental.
