Why does your mouth get dry at night? 5 main reasons and solutions to the problem

We all love to sleep soundly at night - and we do it right, because, as neurologist Alexey Danilov, professor of the department of nervous diseases of the First Moscow State Medical University, explains in his interview, lack of sleep leads to worsening mood, depression and decreased concentration, increases the risk of obesity and the development of a number of chronic diseases. diseases. To be in shape, a person needs to sleep a certain number of hours. But sometimes we wake up in the middle of the night, and one of the main reasons for this is dry mouth. If you have ever encountered this problem, it will be useful for you to know what causes it, how to deal with it, and when you should see a doctor.

What is xerostomia

Xerostomia is dryness, itching, and discomfort in the oral cavity, caused by a decrease or cessation of salivation. Insufficient functioning of the salivary glands is often a sign of various diseases or the body’s reaction to stress or a negative external environment.

Every fifth person complains of xerostomia. The symptom occurs more often in women (about 30%) than in men. The proportion of patients among the elderly is half.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of xerostomia is made on the basis of the patient’s characteristic complaints, his objective examination and additional examination methods. In order to determine the correct functioning of the salivary glands, the following studies are carried out:

• sialometry - measurement of the volume of saliva secreted using taste stimulants (lemon juice, etc.); allows you to identify dysfunction of the gland;
• sialography - x-ray examination of the salivary glands and their ducts with the introduction of a contrast agent; the study reveals stones in the salivary ducts;
• histological examination of salivary gland tissue taken by puncture biopsy; allows you to exclude oncological processes in the gland.

If no violations of the salivary glands have been identified, a full examination of the patient is carried out with the involvement of specialists of various profiles (gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, dentists, etc.) and the appointment of appropriate studies.

What does dry mouth at night mean?

Short-term discomfort during stress and unpleasant emotions is a normal reaction of the body. If your mouth constantly dries out at night, then the reason should be sought in your lifestyle.

The most common reasons that reduce the amount of saliva:

• side effect of the medicine;
• radiation therapy, chemotherapy;
• smoking, alcohol;
• hormonal imbalance, menopause;
• disease.

Xerostomia is not only inconvenient, often a sign of illness, but can also provoke new pathologies.

Dry mouth without thirst

A feeling of discomfort in the oral cavity, not accompanied by thirst, is a common sign of low blood pressure and hypotension. But this is not the main symptom: not all hypotensive patients have xerostomia.

If dry mucous membranes are combined with muscle weakness and causeless fatigue in the morning and evening hours, then the likelihood of diagnosing hypotension increases.

With low pressure, blood circulation is disrupted, which affects the normal functioning of the entire body and all glands.

Causes of dry mouth that are not pathological

Unpleasant sensations are not always a sign of illness. Dryness can be a consequence of a person’s lifestyle or chronic abnormalities. This group of reasons includes:

• untreated runny nose, polyps;
• taking certain medications;
• unhealthy diet, uncontrolled absorption of salty and spicy foods;
• smoking;
• regular alcohol consumption.

Dryness is often caused by a combination of several factors.

Xerostomia: acute and chronic diseases

Most often, dryness is felt when the endocrine system malfunctions. If a person complains of discomfort, diabetes is suspected. With insufficient insulin production, the functioning of all glands of the body is disrupted. The patient often suffers from thirst.

There are other causes of dry mouth with normal sugar:

• Sialadenitis, mumps, sialostasis, which disrupt the functioning of the salivary glands. They hurt, ache, swell, enlarge, and produce less saliva.
• Damage, injury or blockage of the gland duct.
• Oncology.
• Infections. This group includes ARVI, flu, colds, etc. Often accompanied by elevated temperature and increased sweating, which leads to dehydration of the body.
• Autoimmune diseases (Sjögren's syndrome).
• Rheumatic abnormalities.
• Deviation of the nasal septum.
• Dehydration due to high fever, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, thermal or chemical burn.

Due to hormonal imbalance, women may experience dry mouth at night. There is no disease, discomfort may be associated with menstruation, unsuccessfully selected oral contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause.

Causes

If a person feels dry during the night and immediately after waking up that his tongue is dry and there is literally not a drop of saliva in his mouth, it is important to find out as quickly as possible why this is happening. The situation is complicated by the fact that there are many factors that can cause such symptoms, ranging from banal summer stuffiness in the bedroom to serious health problems.

Triggering everyday situations

Why does my tongue dry out at night? Fortunately, the reason for this does not always lie in illness - various internal and external factors can affect the production of saliva, and by eliminating them, you can quickly get rid of the problem.

One of the most common causes of dry mouth at night is dehydration—if a person doesn't drink enough, their saliva becomes viscous and produces less volume.

The condition of the oral cavity can also be affected by:

1. The temperature or humidity in the bedroom is too high. It’s easier to correct the situation during the day - just drink a glass of water, and the condition of the mucous membrane will return to normal. But in a dream, a person is deprived of this opportunity, so if the thermometer in the room shows more than 22-23 ⁰C, and the humidity level has dropped below 50%, dryness can make itself felt at any moment.
2. Contaminated air. People living in industrial areas with unfavorable environmental conditions are more likely to experience dry mouth in the morning and during the night.
3. Nasal congestion. During a runny nose, a person often has to spend the whole night with his mouth open in order to simply breathe. This means that the flow of air passing through the oral cavity for several hours in a row will greatly dry out the mucous membrane.
4. Snore. People who snore in their sleep most often have to breathe through their mouth, which affects not only the quality of night's rest, but also the condition of the mucous membranes and tongue.
5. Unhealthy habits. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs and even too much coffee cause dehydration and poison the body with toxins.

In addition, in older people, the causes and relief of dry mouth at night are directly related to the medications they are forced to take daily. For example, many drugs for lowering blood pressure have a diuretic effect, which means they sharply reduce the amount of fluid in the body, causing dry mucous membranes.

Internal pathologies

Among other things, go to the dentist.
Severe dry mouth during the night can be associated with various diseases that cause intoxication, loss of fluid and important microelements, and malfunction of the salivary glands. This is about:

• disturbance of water and electrolyte balance as a result of severe diarrhea or vomiting;
• acute respiratory diseases;
• alcohol or drug poisoning;
• hormonal imbalance;
• diabetes mellitus;
• stroke;
• Parkinson's disease;
• head injuries;
• arthrosis, arthritis;
• gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcers, etc.

In addition, the answer to the question of why the mouth and tongue dry out at night often lies in the field of dentistry: diseases of the teeth and gums also affect the condition of the mucous membrane, especially if treatment is delayed for quite a long time.

Associated symptoms

Dryness and discomfort in the oral cavity are often accompanied by additional symptoms, from which the doctor can also draw a conclusion about the causes of the problem. For example:

1. Dry mucous membranes and constant bitterness in the mouth are signs of problems with the liver, bile ducts or pancreas.
2. A deficiency of saliva in combination with headache and dizziness may indicate a tendency to low blood pressure.
3. Nausea and dry mouth at night can be signs of overeating, and in combination with diarrhea - symptoms of an intestinal infection.
4. A dry tongue, constant thirst and frequent urination are some of the main external manifestations of diabetes.

However, the most dangerous is considered to be a combination of acute lack of saliva and general weakness - these signs may indicate that the patient has blood diseases or malignant neoplasms.

How to get rid of dryness

You can temporarily get rid of the unpleasant sensation by simply drinking water. To eliminate discomfort for a long time, you need to adjust your habits and cure the underlying disease. A person has to learn to live with some pathologies: they are incurable, but the symptoms can be reduced.

It is important to establish a drinking regime. A person needs to drink approximately 1.5-2 liters of water per day, depending on his weight and pace of life. Calculating the required volume is simple: for each kg there are 30 ml. If the weight is 67 kg, then calculate: 30 × 67 = 2010 ml. This is 2 liters. The volume of fluid should be increased during heat, intense physical activity, and stress.

It is better to drink clean water: you are less likely to get swelling. Caffeine-containing drinks (tea, coffee) are quickly eliminated from the body. You can replace them with juices, but not concentrated ones, compotes, fruit drinks.

The drink should not have too much sugar. He makes me very thirsty. It is advisable to reduce the amount of sweet drinks as much as possible.

Herbal infusions, tinctures, and teas quench thirst well. But before use, you need to make sure that there is no allergy to the components of the collection, the herbs are not diuretic. If you have a history of kidney disease or cardiovascular disease, you should not use herbs that negatively affect their function.

Thus, parsley helps with edema, but is contraindicated in case of urolithiasis. Dill infusions should not be consumed by hypotensive patients.

The following products will help reduce discomfort or completely get rid of xerostomia:

• Chewing gum. It temporarily relieves dry mucous membranes, but does not cure. Chewing gum with xylitol reduced dry mouth for a long time in a third of patients.
• Fruits and vegetables. They contain 70-90% liquid, so eating them fresh, boiled or stewed helps cope with thirst. Acidic fruits (apples, lemons, grapefruits, kiwis) irritate the receptors and provoke increased salivation. Fruits with astringent properties (persimmon) have the opposite effect.
• Moisturizing sprays for the oral cavity. Locally acting drugs relieve discomfort and pain, and eliminate thirst for a time. These are Oral 7, Gum Hydral, Dentaid Xeros, Xerostom, etc.

The following tips will also help eliminate dry mouth:

• Cure nasal congestion. Due to mouth breathing, the mucous membrane dries out faster. To get rid of the problem, you can use vasoconstrictor drops and saline rinsing solution.
• Adjust the humidity and air temperature in the house. According to sanitary standards, humidity should be at 40-60% at a temperature of 18-21º C.
• Set up nutrition. If most of your diet is salty, fatty, smoked or sweet food, then it will be difficult to get rid of dryness. You can eat such products in small quantities, preferably before lunch. Preference should be given to easily digestible foods (vegetables, fruits, grains).
• Reduce your consumption of dry foods. You can't eat dry sandwiches. Reduce your consumption of cookies, chips, and crackers. It is noticed that after such a meal you feel thirsty.

If you stick to your diet, you can significantly reduce the feeling of dryness. There should not be long breaks between meals. It is better to plan your day so that you can eat 3-5 times a day.

You should not fill your calorie needs in 1-2 times. Smaller portions of food are easier and faster to digest.

Causes of dry mucous membranes

What disease (whether a person feels such discomfort at night or in the morning - it doesn’t matter) is characterized by symptoms such as thirst and dryness of the oral mucosa? This happens due to intoxication. This symptom may not disappear throughout the day. An unpleasant phenomenon occurs as a result of a toxic substance entering the body. A large amount of fluid is required to remove it.

Very often, such discomfort occurs as a result of alcohol abuse. After all, many people forget that ethyl alcohol is a strong poison for the human body. Due to the formation of acetaldehyde, cell death is observed. In order for the body to get rid of them, a large amount of clean water is required.

Why does my mouth feel so dry at night? The causes of this condition may be associated with disruption of the functioning of certain organs. Thirst often occurs due to a lack of vitamin A. In this case, the patient may experience keratinization of the oral mucosa. Pieces of tissue that have sloughed off can clog the salivary gland duct.

Another reason is brain injury. Due to damage to the nervous system, salivary processes may be disrupted.

Dry mouth can cause toxicosis, which is accompanied by vomiting and nausea.

It is worth noting that the above factors cause only temporary xerostomia.

Persistent xerostomia can be caused by the following factors:

• advanced age;
• dysfunction of the salivary glands caused by surgery;
• menopause;
• radiation therapy used to treat cancer;
• atrophy of the glands that secrete saliva (due to frequent use of special disinfectants).

If dry mouth bothers you very often, then you should visit a doctor and undergo a thorough examination. After all, the cause may be a serious illness.

How to find out why dry mouth occurs at night? Causes, treatment and consequences depend on the underlying disease. When diagnosing a disease, the doctor must identify all the symptoms. If a person’s tongue is covered with a yellow or white coating, and the patient also feels bitterness, then this indicates the development of ailments associated with the functioning of the gallbladder and its ducts: gastritis, duodenitis and pancreatitis.

To determine the underlying cause, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination. When one of the diseases listed above is diagnosed, treatment is carried out for the underlying pathology that caused dry mouth. After a course of treatment, the unpleasant symptom goes away on its own.

If xerostomia is temporary, then the following methods will help get rid of unpleasant sensations:

1. At the first sign of dry mouth and throat, you should drink some liquid. Plain water quenches thirst best. Other drinks, especially those that are too sweet and carbonated, will only make the condition worse. Some time after consuming them, the thirst will only intensify.
2. Medications can be used to combat the feeling of dryness. The main disadvantage of this method is that the drug can only be purchased with a prescription. Only a doctor can prescribe such medications. To relieve dry mouth, a course of inhalations with a herbal-based drug (Vitaon) is often prescribed.
3. Sour lollipops will increase salivation. Fruit pits and chewing gum are ideal for these purposes. The best way to help in this regard is to consume fresh lemon without sugar.
4. Many experts recommend chewing ice.
5. If the patient does not suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, then he can add dishes to his diet that include a component such as chili pepper. This spice contains a component that can stimulate the functions of the salivary glands.

When searching for the reasons why xerostomia could develop, the doctor must evaluate the patient’s complaints, his general condition, and the results of some tests. This is necessary in order not to make a mistake in the diagnosis, since there can be many reasons for this pathology. At night, the oral cavity dries out most often due to:

• dehydration that develops against the background of increased body hyperemia or elevated air temperature, prolonged bouts of vomiting, burns covering a large area, simply insufficient fluid intake during the day;
• difficulty or inability to breathe through the nose, forced breathing through the mouth due to a runny nose, deviated nasal septum, adenoids, and drying out of the mucous membrane may also occur;
• systematic use of certain medications (often increased thirst is caused by medications for allergies, hypertension, neurasthenia);
• the habit of eating sweets or salty foods before bed (such food helps draw fluid out of cells and leads to thirst and dry mouth);
• snoring (many patients suffering from snoring also complain of dry mouth at night);
• restless sleep due to stress or nervous tension can cause an unpleasant symptom;
• various intoxications (including alcohol) lead to complaints and require compensation by drinking large volumes of water;
• Sleeping in a room with low humidity levels can lead to dry mouth even if the patient does not have problems breathing through the nose.

To avoid the unpleasant feeling of dry mouth at night, it is recommended to follow a number of simple tips. These include:

• avoiding eating large amounts of sweets and salty foods before going to bed;
• accustom yourself to drink at least two liters of liquid a day (it is recommended to drink liquid slowly, in small sips; if you drink all two liters at once, it will not do any good);
• stop drinking alcoholic beverages before bed, as well as the habit of smoking (tobacco, like alcohol, contributes to drying out of the mucous membranes and can lead to complaints of dry mucous membranes);
• maintain a high level of humidity in the sleeping area by regularly wet cleaning the room or using special devices to increase humidity;
• refuse to rinse your mouth with solutions that contain alcohol (excluding the need to carry out any therapeutic measures);
• eat a variety of fruits and vegetables more often, especially if your appetite suddenly awakens in the evening;
• follow a teeth-brushing regime, carrying out the procedure twice a day - in the morning after waking up and before going to bed (it is best to use toothpastes that contain fluoride).

There can be a huge number of reasons for dry mouth. This does not always indicate a serious illness; sometimes it can be a temporary condition of the body due to exposure to external factors or the use of any substances.

Dehydration

Dehydration due to not drinking enough water is the most common cause of dry mouth. This can also occur during exposure to heat, due to excessive sweating and excessive consumption of salty foods.

In addition, burns to a large percentage of the body can result in severe loss of body fluids.

People become dehydrated due to not drinking enough water

Unpleasant sensations can be caused by the use of various medications, one of the side effects of which is dry mouth. Such drugs include some diuretics, antitumor drugs, psychotropic drugs, antiallergenic drugs, antibiotics, m-cholinergic receptor blockers, various stimulants, and vasodilators.

Rhinitis (runny nose) is also a very common cause of dryness, especially in the morning after waking up or even throughout the night. When the nose is stuffy, a person begins to breathe through the mouth, which leads to a dry mouth.

Snoring during sleep leads to the fact that throughout the night the patient may feel dry mucous membranes due to mouth breathing.

Frequently rinsing your mouth can also cause this symptom. Excessive use of rinses containing alcohol washes away the natural plaque from the tongue and dries out the oral cavity.

Dry air

Low air humidity can also lead to xerostomia. A person breathes dry air, which affects the mucous membrane and increases the viscosity of saliva. The minimum humidity in the room should be 40%.

Smoking is a very bad habit. Resins and nicotinic acid, getting on the mucous membrane, burn it and the ducts of the salivary glands. People feel a burning sensation on the tongue, in the throat, dryness in the mouth and throat.

Smoking and alcohol are common causes of dry mouth

Drinking alcoholic beverages leads to dehydration of the body. The next morning, people often experience dryness and bad breath.

Climax

Menopause is a natural period for women; it begins around the age of fifty. During menopause, the levels of progesterone and estrogen change, which leads to dryness of all mucous membranes of the body.

Vitamin deficiency

A lack of vitamin A greatly affects the condition of the entire body. Dryness is felt not only in the mouth, insufficient hydration leads to the fact that the skin begins to peel, hair and nails become brittle and brittle. Due to vitamin deficiency, the restoration processes of epithelial cells are disrupted, they are intensively desquamated and can clog the ducts of the salivary glands, resulting in the formation of a retention cyst.

Stress, depression

Nervous overexcitation, stress, and depression can also contribute to the appearance of this symptom. Patients often suffer from insomnia. Typically, dry mouth goes away as the person’s mental state normalizes. With nervous eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia), a lack of appetite may also be observed.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can also cause dry mouth. At the same time, patients often experience other unpleasant and even painful symptoms.

Many people have experienced dry mouth at night. The older you get, the more often this problem (xerostomia) appears. It is caused by a decrease in the secretion of the salivary glands. A similar anomaly in pregnant women during menopause has a physiological explanation. This is due to hormonal changes in the body.

Effects of dry mouth at night

The sensations themselves are unpleasant, the process of swallowing and breathing becomes difficult. But if you ignore the condition, complications may develop:

• disruption of the digestive system;
• inflammation of the gums;
• changes in acid-base balance in body tissues;
• caries;
• ulcers on the oral mucosa;
• decreased immunity.

Diseases that lead to xerostomia are getting worse. Therefore, the sooner the cause is found and treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of recovery.

Consequences of nocturnal xerostomia

The result of long-term xerostomia can be:

• rapid spread of carious tooth decay;
• disorders of the periodontal tissues (periodontitis, periodontal disease);
• recurrent ulcerative stomatitis of bacterial and fungal origin;
• disruption of food digestion, spread of the inflammatory process to other digestive organs;
• intoxication associated with constant inflammation;
• impaired speaking.

Causes and remedies for dry mouth in older people

Dry mouth in older people can be a sign of illness, the body's response to medications that are taken in large quantities in old age. Dryness and itching in the mouth occur due to:

• side effects of pharmacological agents;
• deterioration of the salivary glands;
• age-related relaxation of the facial muscles (the mouth may open slightly during sleep, which leads to drying out of the mucous membranes).

Decreased muscle tone, especially the soft palate, leads to snoring.

In old age, the same techniques and remedies are recommended. In most cases, drinking the daily amount of water is enough. It is less in older people. To cope with thirst, you can wet your lips and take a couple of sips.

Wisdom of centuries

Sages living in China claim that you can get rid of dry mouth with a simple exercise. To do this, it is worth performing the movements that a person makes when rinsing the mouth. The lips should be closed. The exercise must be repeated at least thirty times.

After swallowing the accumulated saliva, it is worth imagining how it gradually goes to the navel area. To completely get rid of dry mouth, you need to do regular exercise.

Xerostomia in pregnant women

During pregnancy, an imbalance of fluid in the body can cause xerostomia.

Factors leading to dry mouth in the 1st trimester:

• toxicosis (frequent vomiting can cause dehydration);
• hormonal changes;
• lack of vitamins and mineral elements, as a result of which taste habits change, a woman pays less attention to her diet and may eat more salty or spicy foods;
• nasal congestion (“pregnant rhinitis”);
• excess magnesium caused by taking magnesium-containing drugs.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, dry mucous membranes are provoked by:

• potassium deficiency;
• increased sweating due to weight gain;
• dehydration due to frequent bladder emptying.

Every week the fetus grows and puts more and more pressure on the bladder, leaving less room for it in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, a woman wants to go to the toilet more often.

Pregnant women who monitor their drinking regime usually do not complain of dryness. Often, during pregnancy, the intensity of salivation increases.

How does xerostomia manifest?

Depending on the severity of the symptoms of xerostomia, the following stages are distinguished:

1. Initial stage . There is no significant dry mouth yet, but it may appear during prolonged conversation, sleeping with your mouth open, or exposure to other additional factors. When talking, foam may appear at the mouth, and the viscosity of saliva increases.
2. Stage of expressed signs . Dryness is a constant concern. A burning sensation appears on the tongue, it becomes difficult to eat (patients are forced to wash down food with water) and speech (there is periodic hoarseness of the voice), and the sense of taste decreases. The mucous membranes are dry, slightly shiny.
3. Late stage . The function of the glands has practically ceased. Severe dryness interferes with chewing and swallowing food, causing pain when swallowing. The mucous membranes become inflamed (stomatitis, glossitis). Characterized by mouth ulcers, atrophic runny nose, active spread of dental caries and inflammation of the periodontal tissues (periodontitis).

To alleviate the condition, the patient needs to constantly drink a little or at least moisten the mouth.

Inhalations for dry mouth

Steam inhalation is an affordable method of moisturizing the respiratory tract. For the procedure, you can use a nebulizer or inhaler. If it is not possible to purchase a device, you can temporarily make do with a home analogue. It is enough to breathe over a pan of hot water to reduce discomfort.

You can make a soda solution: per liter of water - 1 tbsp. Herbal decoctions with chamomile and mint help well (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water). You can add a couple of drops of peony and aloe vera essential oil to clean water. Breathe over hot compounds for 8-10 minutes - the humidity of the nasopharyngeal mucosa stabilizes. The disadvantages of home inhalations are the inconvenience of use and the risk of getting burned.

Treatment with home remedies

Xerostomia, which is not a symptom of a serious disease, is treated with traditional methods.

The following recipes moisturize the mucous membrane, increase saliva production, and help with inflammation:

• Dissolve aloe juice in water (40-50 ml per glass). Rinse your mouth 3 times a day.
• Chew 1 tsp after eating. pharmaceutical dill. Repeat for 2-3 weeks. Due to the high content of flavonoids, the plant stimulates salivation.
• Before meals, take 15 drops of wormwood tincture. Repeat every day for three weeks. Bitter herb irritates the receptors, increases the sensitivity of the hunger center, which causes an increase in the amount of saliva.
• Prepare rosemary infusion. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over 15-20 leaves of the plant. Leave for 1-1.5 hours. Rinse your mouth daily before eating.
• Grape seed oil has a gentle effect on the oral mucosa, moisturizes and heals small cracks. Apply before bed to the tongue, inner surface of the cheeks, lips. The oil removes tightness, envelops affected, injured tissues, and facilitates swallowing.
• Refreshes, moisturizes and accelerates the healing of minor damage to the mucous membrane with a herbal collection of calendula, peppermint, chamomile, and plantain. You need to take 1 teaspoon of each herb and mix. Pour the mixture with hot water, about 90º C. Leave for 3-4 hours. Rinse your mouth with the broth every time after eating.

Ginger increases saliva production. It is useful to drink ginger infusion, lemon-ginger tea, or simply add the root to food.

Which doctor should I contact?

Since xerostomia is not a disease, but a symptom of one or more disorders, the patient can go to a general practitioner (family doctor or therapist) or dentist with a complaint.

You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if other symptoms appear at the same time:

• complicated caries (tooth pain is severe);
• rashes, redness on the face and body;
• dehydrated, tight skin;
• irritated, dry eyes;
• pain in muscles, joints.

To clarify the cause, the doctor may additionally refer the patient to a gastroenterologist, gynecologist, rheumatologist or endocrinologist.

Treatment recommendations

If you are bothered by dry mouth at night, eliminating the problem depends on the cause. The treatment plan and method are selected individually. The main task is to cure the disease that provoked the symptom and normalize the functioning of the glands. Often, for xerostomia, medications are prescribed that increase the resistance of the mucous membrane to irritants, local anti-inflammatory drugs.

In case of pathological processes in the glands, a set of measures is performed:

• taking medications that activate the work of all glands, large and small, to increase saliva production;
• moisturizing the oral mucosa with solutions that imitate the composition and properties of saliva;
• taking vitamins.

Preparations for moisturizing the mucous membrane, stimulating salivation and simulating saliva, are available in the form of gels and sprays.

Before using any methods or taking medications, you should definitely consult with your doctor. This will protect you from complications and side effects.

Associated symptoms

Additional symptoms will help determine the cause of dryness

Their appearance indicates the presence or absence of pathological processes in the body.

Note! Experts call the most common symptomatic manifestations:

• bad breath;
• bitter taste;
• peeling of lips;
• white or yellow coating on the tongue;
• inflammation and bleeding of gums;
• change in saliva consistency;
• difficulty swallowing;
• the appearance of cracks or ulcers in the corners of the mouth;
• coughing attacks;
• sore and dry throat;
• severe dizziness;
• headache;
• constant thirst;
• nausea;
• excessive sweating;
• dullness of hair;
• increased body temperature;
• frequent urination;
• diarrhea;
• brittle nails;
• skin itching;
• sleep disturbance;
• dry mucous membranes of the eyes;
• general weakness;
• loss of orientation in space;
• nervousness and irritability.

The temporary occurrence of dryness is not a sign of serious pathology.

But if xerostomia appears every night and is accompanied by other symptoms, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

Preventing dry mouth

Often xerostomia is a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle. You can prevent dryness by following simple recommendations:

• drink enough water;
• exclude alcohol and caffeinated drinks;
• take regular walks in the fresh air;
• exercise moderately;
• strengthen immunity, harden;
• monitor the quality and diet (eat more plant foods, exclude salty foods);
• brush your teeth 2 times a day, use dental floss after meals.

Following these recommendations, even if xerostomia has already appeared, will significantly reduce discomfort in the oral cavity.

Dry mouth is a controversial symptom. This is a sign of illness, poor lifestyle, a reaction to stress, the environment. Without consultation with a specialist, the correct diagnosis and treatment is unlikely to be determined.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

If the pathology is treated incorrectly, serious complications can occur. Therefore, experts do not recommend self-medication. The consequences can be quite dire. Among the undesirable manifestations it is worth highlighting the following:

• thrush;
• deterioration of taste buds;
• inflammation of the oral mucosa;
• gingivitis;
• stomatitis;
• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
• the appearance of ulcers and ulcers in the oral cavity;
• chronic tonsillitis.

It is worth noting that dry mouth accelerates the development of dental caries. This can be explained by difficulties associated with removing food debris. Exactly the same problem occurs when using dentures.

Dry mouth itself is not a life-threatening symptom, but complications can arise due to the underlying medical conditions. People have an increased risk of gum inflammation, tooth decay and thrush. Those who use dentures may have difficulty wearing them due to dry mouth. The functioning of taste buds also decreases, and it becomes more difficult to distinguish between different types of food.

When dehydrated, the following dangerous changes occur in the body:

• the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted;
• transport of nutrients to internal organs deteriorates;
• blood pressure increases;
• attention and memory are impaired;
• immunity is weakened;
• premature aging begins;
• severe headaches appear;
• stones and sand form in the kidneys;
• feeling tired quickly;
• sclerosis occurs;
• the body is poisoned due to delayed removal of toxins;
• the functioning of the kidneys and liver is impaired;
• cartilage is destroyed and thinned.

Many patients are concerned about the question of whether dry mouth at night is associated with diabetes? Yes, dry mouth can indicate any type of diabetes, but mainly in cases where it is accompanied by additional symptoms and occurs not only at night, but throughout the day.

You should consult an endocrinologist in the following cases:

• the person is constantly thirsty, and often runs to the toilet and urinates in small portions;
• there is rapid weight gain or, on the contrary, sudden weight loss, which cannot be explained by a change in diet or lifestyle;
• the skin is affected by various purulent diseases accompanied by itching;
• unpleasant and inconvenient jams appear in the corners of the lips;
• the patient constantly complains of feeling tired, drowsiness, and weakness.

Diagnosing diabetes mellitus only because a person develops dryness in the oral cavity at night is wrong. A glucose test is required as a minimum to make this diagnosis.

If diabetes is nevertheless detected during diagnostic studies, treatment will help to cope with its symptoms, which will be prescribed by an endocrinologist, based on the type of disease and the characteristics of its course.