Selecting Dental Products
Toothpastes today are formulated to meet your every dental need and come in many flavours. Have your dental professional suggest the best toothpaste in India.
TEETH WHITENING
Discover safe and effective natural ways to whiten teeth at home and enhance your smile. Learn about maintaining oral hygiene for teeth whitening at home.
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 night-time lip smacking.
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 remineralising 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:
The occasional case of dry mouth at night may simply be due to dehydration, but age, medical conditions and habits can also contribute to its symptoms. The Healthy Mouth Healthy Body explains that there are lots of different reasons why people get dry mouth. Some prescription drugs and medicines can cause dry mouth as a side effect, especially treatments for depression and high blood pressure, and cancer. Also, certain medical conditions like diabetes affect the salivary glands, so they don't produce as much saliva and the mouth tends to be dryer.
Frequent tobacco and alcohol use can lead to xerostomia. Besides putting you at risk for oral cancer, smoking causes changes in saliva production. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco also irritate an already dry mouth and contribute to bad breath.
If your dry mouth is caused by dehydration, treating it could be as simple as making sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and before going to bed. Xerostomia caused by medication and other health conditions might need more help to stimulate saliva production, such as:
Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for optimal oral health care. If you are experiencing dry mouth, regular cleanings can help prevent dental decay and gum disease. Your dentist may also recommend a hydrating rinse. No matter the cause of your night-time dry mouth, you and your dental team can work together to find a solution.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine
2.3 billion
people worldwide suffer from tooth decay
ORAL HEALTH QUIZ
Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine
2.3 billion
people worldwide suffer from tooth decay
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