Are you sleeping with your mouth open? If so, chances are that you're snoring.
Snoring can be very annoying. That loud noise affects not only you but your loved ones as well. If you sleep alone, you should look for signs that are easy to detect, such as dry mouth sensation in the morning.
What's Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth manifests when you don't produce enough saliva in your mouth to keep the necessary moisture. The main reason for dry mouth is mouth breathing. Dry mouth is a medical condition that is called xerostomia.
A dry mouth can cause issues such as burning in your mouth, sore throat, difficulty speaking and swallowing, dryness in your nose, and many others.
The dry mouth should not be ignored as it can lead to psychological distress, poor nutrition, dental complications, etc.
Many factors can cause a dry mouth, such as:
- mouth breathing caused by snoring or sleep apnea
- taking certain medications
- aging
- diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease, etc.
What Causes Snoring?
If your airways gets obstructed while you're sleeping, you'll begin to snore, and here is why.
Your whole body enters in a relaxed state during your sleep, including your tongue and throat (aka soft tissues). These soft tissues can relax so much in certain situations causing obstructions in your airways. In most cases, this occurs while you're sleeping on your back.
But where is that snoring sound coming from?
If you sleep with your mouth open, as you breathe in, the soft tissues start to vibrate, and as the air can't flow freely, hence the snoring sound. The more obstructed your airway becomes, the louder you'll snore.
Can Snoring Cause Dry Mouth?
Let's just reconsider what we have just described above.
Snoring is a result of obstructed airways when a person is breathing through the open mouth. Therefore, snoring causes a dry mouth as the air keeps flowing in and out of your mouth.
Moreover, snoring can even cause a sore throat in the morning as your mouth breathing will reduce moisture in your upper airways.
If you find that you are constantly waking up with dry mouth when sleeping during the night and drinking water because you have a dry mouth there can be several reasons for that. Most people experience dry mouth when they are nervous or under stress, like when you have to give a speech, but if you are experiencing it often then you might have some serious health problems such as sleep apnea or diabetes..
Therefore, please don't ignore your snoring, dry mouth or sore throat, but tackle the issues and try to mend them.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Dry Mouth?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is sometimes linked with xerostomia (the subjective sensation of dry mouth). The reason behind this connection is that sleep apnea usually forces mouth breathing, hence the dry mouth.
People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) tools for treatment throughout the day might suffer even a more severe dry mouth sensation in the morning.
Dry Mouth Causes: Saliva And Enzymes
Saliva has enzymes that help you digest food and it prevents tooth decay from teeth and gums so it is essential to good oral health. If you have a need to frequently wake up during the night needing water then you should analyze why this is happening so frequently.
Some other causes of dry mouth at night are:
* Taking medications for your health conditions including antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, high blood pressure meds, muscle relaxants, painkillers and others – with over 400 medications listing dry mouth as a possible reaction to the drug.
* Breathing through your mouth while sleeping can cause dry mouth because it usually causes snoring that tends to dry out your mouth and can even cause a sore throat.
* Emotional stress and treatments for diseases and other similar health conditions often result in dry mouth that is often exacerbated by snoring.
* Consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, and smoking can also contribute to dry mouth and snoring.
Dry Mouth While Sleeping Can Result in Symptoms Such as:
* Difficulty swallowing, chewing or tasting and speaking.
* A dry sticky feeling in the throat resulting in frequent need to drink water.
* Sores in the mouth or split skin and cracked lips.
* A tingling and burning sensation in the mouth and tongue.
* Hoarse voice and dry nasal passages and sore throat.
* Bad breath and tooth decay.
If you are experiencing frequent symptoms of dry mouth you should consult a physician to ensure that you understand fully the reasons for the dry mouth condition.
Please contact us directly if you would like to learn more about dry mouth and snoring.
How to Diagnose & Treat Snoring and Dry Mouth
You can diagnose dry mouth by checking how your mouth feels in the morning (is there a morning dryness?).
When it comes to snoring, your partner will undoubtedly let you know if you snore. However, it might be a bit trickier to diagnose snoring if you're single.
The easiest solution is to use one of the snore recording apps. These applications basically record any noises during your sleep. Some of these apps will measure the intensity of your snoring and even suggest actionable tips to help you take care of your snoring.
However, we highly suggest visiting your doctor or using only the proven tools in further treatment of these health conditions.
Snoring Treatments if you Can Breathe Through Your Nose
In case you CAN breathe through your nose but are not used to it, there are specific ways to force nose breathing by keeping your mouth closed.
Mouth Shields
Mouth shields are placed between your teeth and lips to prevent mouth breathing. Specific mouth shields feature small holes to allow a bit of mouth breathing if you really need it.
Mouthpieces
If your snoring has more than one cause and mouth breathing is involved, then mouthpieces can be your perfect choice. This piece of health equipment promotes healthier nasal breathing. Check out our adjustable mouth guard for snoring.
Tongue retainers
Tongue retainers are used to block the mouth breathing and force you to breathe through your nose. Additionally, they hold your tongue forward, thus preventing it from blocking your airway.
Chin straps
Chin straps are also a great way to prevent mouth breathing at night. They are simple to use. Just wrap them around the top of your head and under your chin, and you're good to go.
Snoring Treatments if you Can't Breathe Through Your Nose
Let's talk about what can be done if you can't breathe through your nose but have to keep an open mouth while sleeping.
Nasal Treatments
If you're breathing with an open mouth while sleeping, which is causing you to snore, you should visit a medical professional and enquire about potential nasal treatments that can help you out.
Adequate hydration
Dehydration makes it easier for your airway's walls to stick together and make that snoring noise which is why it's essential to stay hydrated at all times.
This doesn't mean drinking a lot of water before bedtime, but increasing your water intake throughout the day and avoiding salty foods for dinner.
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