It’s extremely common to wake up at night with a dry mouth, and while a quick sip of water may seem like all that’s necessary, you may actually need to see a dentist. According to the staff at Dental Clinic of Onalaska in La Crosse County, WI, chronic dry mouth while you sleep has health consequences. Saliva is vital to oral hygiene, which is why symptoms of dry mouth shouldn’t go unaddressed.

What Is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth occurs when your glands aren’t able to produce sufficient saliva while you’re sleeping. There are many causes, but the most common are mouth-breathing, medication side effects, and tobacco and alcohol use. It can be difficult to pinpoint causes or even identify if you’re suffering from dry mouth at night, which is why it’s important to look for daytime symptoms. If you have a dry mouth when you wake up, note if your lips are also dry or if your throat is sore for no apparent reason. You may also have a cracked tongue, which can be accompanied by bad breath. For many people, these symptoms may sound familiar, and now-and-then occurrences aren’t irregular. Repeat symptoms demand attention though, so don’t hesitate to contact your dentist.

What Are the Consequences?

While dry mouth may not seem like a serious condition, the lack of saliva can cause problems. Saliva is essential for washing food and bacteria from your teeth, even when you’re asleep. With dry mouth, these bacteria are allowed to spread. This can lead to increased plaque buildup. Eventually, you may experience tooth decay and even gum disease if you don’t visit a dentist. Sores can also develop on the inside of the mouth and throat and on the lips if dry mouth isn’t treated. These can be difficult to heal and may interfere with eating, swallowing, and talking.

There are many in-office and at-home treatments for dry mouth, so turn to the staff at Dental Clinic of Onalaska for assistance. They provide a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services, and a general dentist can help with any problems you’re experiencing. Call (608) 783-3341 today to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about the services they offer.