Smoking and alcohol can dry and irritate the mouth. Alcohol may reduce hydration, worsen reflux, and disturb sleep. Smoking can irritate oral tissues and affect saliva production.
The source article explains that both smoking and alcohol can dry oral tissues, irritate salivary glands, and worsen nighttime symptoms.
If dry mouth is frequent, reducing alcohol, avoiding tobacco, and limiting irritants in the evening may help. If quitting smoking feels difficult, a healthcare professional can help with support options.
8. Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can affect breathing patterns, sleep quality, and saliva production. When a person is stressed, they may breathe more through the mouth, clench the jaw, wake more often, or feel a dry mouth even without dehydration.
