Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, happens when the mouth does not have enough saliva. Saliva helps keep the mouth moist, supports digestion, protects teeth, and helps control bacteria. The source article explains that nighttime dry mouth can affect sleep quality, oral health, and may sometimes point to an underlying health issue.
What Does Saliva Do?
Saliva is more important than many people realize. It helps wash away food particles, protects teeth from decay, supports swallowing, keeps the tongue and gums comfortable, and helps the mouth fight bacteria.
When saliva production drops, the mouth can feel dry, sticky, irritated, or uncomfortable. Over time, chronic dry mouth may increase the risk of bad breath, cavities, gum problems, mouth sores, and difficulty swallowing.
That is why frequent dry mouth at night deserves attention.
1. Mouth Breathing During Sleep
