Now that you know what it is, you might want to know what can cause dry mouth. As it turns out, there’s a long list of potential causes.
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Certain foods and drinks (especially those high in acidity, sugar, and caffeine, as well as alcohol)
- Menopause
- Aging
- The flu
- Medications (more than 400 prescription and over-the-counter medications have dry mouth as a known side effect)
- Diseases and medical conditions
- Nerve damage
- Radiation treatment (which can damage the salivary glands, leading to temporary or total saliva loss)
- Chemotherapy
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Recreational drug use
- Vaping
While it’s possible to experience dry mouth at any time, some people find they mostly have dry mouth overnight, which can interfere with sleep. When it comes to what causes dry mouth at night, there are a few additional reasons, such as:
- Breathing through the mouth while sleeping
- Use of a CPAP mask for sleep apnea
- Wearing dentures and retainers
- Sinusitis
- A deviated septum
