Waking Up With Dry Mouth? Here’s What Your Body Might Be Telling You

Do you wake up feeling like your mouth is completely dry? Morning dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is common and can have many possible causes. Sometimes it is simply related to dehydration or sleeping with your mouth open, but persistent dryness can also be associated with medications, nasal congestion, snoring, sleep apnea, or certain health conditions.

Understanding the possible causes can help you recognize when simple lifestyle changes may be enough and when it may be worth speaking with a dentist or healthcare professional.

Key Signs of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Common symptoms include:

• A sticky or unusually dry feeling in the mouth.
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
• A dry or sore throat.
• Frequent thirst, particularly at night.
• Bad breath.
• Cracked lips or sores at the corners of the mouth.
• A dry or rough-feeling tongue.

But why is dry mouth often much worse when you wake up? The answer may have more to do with what happens while you sleep than with what happens during the day.

There’s more to discover. Continue to the next page for the rest of this article.