You wake up with your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth and need water as soon as you open your eyes. A dry mouth when waking up is very common and often has a simple explanation.
Common causes
- Sleeping with your mouth open. This is one of the most frequent causes: air goes in and out through your mouth all night and dries it out.
- A blocked nose. If no air comes in through your nose, you end up breathing through your mouth.
- Dry air. Heating or air conditioning during the night.
- Not drinking enough water during the day, alcohol or very salty dinners.
- Some medicines have a dry mouth as a side effect.
Tips you can try
- Drink enough water during the day.
- Avoid alcohol before bed.
- Keep an eye on the humidity in your bedroom.
- If your nose gets blocked, open it: Premium nasal strips help you breathe better through your nose while you sleep.
- If you sleep with your mouth open and breathe well through your nose, try mouth tape with a hole, which helps keep your mouth closed.
Mouth tape: precautions
Do not use mouth tape if your nose is blocked, if you find it hard to breathe through your nose, or if you have sleep apnoea or another breathing problem, and do not use it on children, without asking a doctor first. Read our guide to mouth tape for sleep.
When to get advice
If your dry mouth is constant, comes with a lot of thirst during the day or other symptoms, or you snore a lot and wake up tired, see your doctor or dentist.
This article is for information only and does not replace a doctor's advice. Always read the instructions before using the strips.
