Dry Mouth At Night Treatment
The main problem with dry mouth (xerostomia) is that it occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of saliva your saliva produces and the amount of saliva the tissues in your mouth can absorb. The saliva generally will contain substances such as glucose, bacteria, lipids, proteins and vitamins. When you have a dry mouth, you can no longer properly absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat and the dead cells in your mouth begin to break down causing bad breath, gum disease and cavities. This can occur if you are a smoker, have diabetes or you have a poor diet. In addition, a dry mouth may be the result of poor oral hygiene including neglecting to brush your teeth or floss.
There are a number of conditions that can lead to or be a symptom of dry mouth, some of which are listed below: dry mouth, or postnasal drip; excessive salivation; sore throats; poor swallowing; sinus infections; and diabetes. Other conditions that may need to be mentioned in your treatment options are such things as: dry cracked lips; dry cracked mouth; dry cracked lips at night; dry cracked tongue; and dry cracked tonsils. In addition, the treatment options are listed under specific conditions, such as below. Dry mouth can be very embarrassing, and if left untreated, can lead to halitosis.
Symptoms of dry mouth include: pain in the dental area, soreness of the lips, throat, and tongue. You may also experience difficulty in swallowing. In addition, some people may experience dental infections due to bacteria and plaque buildup. When these bacteria and plaque accumulate, they create toxins that irritate the membranes of the gums and teeth.
Causes of Dry Mouth
There are several causes of xerostomia, which include medications, tobacco use, dehydration, malnutrition, viral infections, illnesses, poor oral health, sinusitis and dry mouth brought on by medications, certain foods and beverages and emotional stresses. Although xerostomia can affect people of any age, the most common time for its occurrence is during childhood.
Medicines – Some medications may cause dry mouth symptoms. Examples of medications that may do this include medicines for high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, acne, coughs, depression, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol, indigestion, nervous disorders and skin diseases. Some remedies that can help to stimulate saliva production include taking aspirin, beta-blockers, antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids, and antibiotics.
Consult with your doctor or dentist before taking any of these medications to ensure they do not counteract any other medications you are taking.
Oral contraceptives are known to cause dry mouth due to hormones and fluctuations in the body. This is also one of the most common causes of halitosis. Other medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills can also cause the same symptoms. Cigarette smoking causes smoking related dental problems such as loosening of the teeth. Some prescription medications such as cold syrups and cough syrup can weaken the salivary glands and affect the production of saliva. Taking alcoholic beverages also weakens the salivary glands and increases the risk for dry mouth and halitosis.
Remedies For Xerostomia
Below, you will find some of the most common remedies for xerostomia:
There are many home remedies available for treating dry mouth treatment. Among these remedies include using a moistened finger dipped in mouthwash, gently rubbing the inside of your wrist, gargling with saltwater, eating certain fruits or drinking teas with spices in them.
Consult your healthcare provider to determine which home remedies are appropriate for your specific condition. Also discuss which medications you should avoid while treating your condition. Also, it is important to let your healthcare provider know if you have any other health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes to ensure proper treatment is administered.
Dentists – Certain vitamins and minerals can be used to prevent tooth decay and plaque buildup. These include Vitamin C and Calcium. Consult your dentist if you are experiencing any symptoms that may suggest vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Vitamins and minerals can also be used to treat common symptoms of dry mouth treatment such as pain and discomfort around the teeth, swelling, and tooth decay.
Foods – If you consistently eat dry mouth or have bad breath causes from particles in your mouth, the bacteria may build up in your mouth and lead to halitosis. Saliva contains bacteria and this is the reason why some people get a bad taste in their mouths after they drink water or eat certain types of food. It is important to rinse your mouth thoroughly after drinking and to brush your tongue. Also, brushing your tongue helps to remove food particles that have settled below the surface.
Healthy diet – Another remedy towards treating dry mouth appropriately is to make sure a person is eating a healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also important to remember not to skip the right amount of water every day. The water will help to dilute the saliva and keep the mouth moist. Skipping meals and consuming too many snacks could also lead to dry mouth.
When a person has bad breathing, they may not even realise they have this condition. However, once it has been diagnosed, a dry mouth solution will need to be found. The most common solution to this type of breathing problem is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. This type of therapy controls the flow of air into the body by using a mask that holds the patient’s mouth open and closed.
If the dry mouth persists, the patient may require medical intervention. One of these medical interventions is a process called diuresis in which the physician will stimulate the patient’s salivary glands with a small amount of water. In some cases, a patient will also need to make an appointment with a dentist to determine the cause of their breathing problems.
How to prevent dry mouth while sleeping?
To prevent any underlying medical condition causing dry mouth, particularly while you’re sleeping. Treat dental decay. Improve saliva production. Try easy-to-swallow formulas, like liquids and powders.
There are also prescription treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms. If you suffer from insomnia, health care providers often prescribe sedatives to treat dry mouth treatment. The most common sedatives are antihistamines, which may help you feel better during the night, and act as sleep aids. Other medications, like antidepressants, are used less frequently but have even greater effects. Talk with your health care provider about possible medications that may help you.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Both smoking and drinking alcohol can damage your teeth and mouth’s mucous membranes. And chewing tobacco products can cause cavities, gum disease and tooth loss.
Drinking plenty of liquids also helps you to prevent tooth decay and plaque buildup. Dry mouth treatment involves more than just a good oral hygiene routine. You need to clean and rinse your mouth thoroughly with a commercial mouthwash. You also should make sure to floss to remove particles that are stuck between your teeth and plaque.
Dental care – Dry mouth syndrome has many negative implications, but it’s important to understand its causes. Some of the more common causes include poor oral hygiene practices, dental decay, medications and tobacco products. Poor dental care is the number one cause of this condition, so it makes sense that you need to improve your dental care. The goal is to eliminate dry mouth syndrome completely so you’ll never have to worry about experiencing uncomfortable and unpleasant tastes, soreness or discomfort around your mouth again.
Rinsing with warm water – There are several treatment options available, depending on the underlying causes of dry mouth. One treatment option is as simple as rinsing with warm water instead of using mouthwash. Another option is to use over-the-counter medications, but these can be expensive. For persistent dry mouth, it may be necessary to see your dental professional for additional help and medications.
Humidifier – Some ways to help treat mouth dryness is through the use of a humidifier. Using a humidifier will add moisture to your mouth by capturing the moisture that evaporates from your mouth as you brush, talk, or sip on a drink. A humidifier should be placed in your bedroom or near the computer. Some models are even small enough to place in your purse.
Inhaling steam with a wet cloth has proven to be an effective way to reduce dry mouth. You can also purchase wet towelettes that you can place in your pocket, to breathe in steam in the event you have an upset stomach, or have a cold. If you smoke cigarettes, or use medications that dry your mouth, you should avoid smoking or use medications containing caffeine, such as cough suppressants or decongestants, while you are trying to treat your condition. If you don’t follow these simple precautions, your dry mouth could lead to more serious conditions. The more you put yourself at risk for, the more you’ll end up paying for it in high medical bills, doctor visits, and treatments. By taking some time to consider the possible side effects of your medications and treatments, you can ensure that you receive the best possible care.
Some medications may also contribute to dry mouth. Some medications, such as cough and cold syrups, dry your throat when you chew them. If you suspect this is the case with your medications, you should discuss alternate medications with your doctor. Other medications that dry your throat are antihistamines, decongestants, and over-the-counter remedies, like aspirin and ibuprofen. These types of medications should not be taken with other medications that dry your throat. If you suspect you have a cough or cold, or any combination of symptoms, see your doctor immediately, so that your condition can be properly treated.