Tips for Staying Hydrated During the Summer and Avoiding Dry Mouth at Night
Summer can be one of the most challenging times of year for people with xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Higher temperatures, more time spent outdoors, air conditioning, and increased sweating can make dry mouth symptoms even more severe. For many people, the discomfort continues into the night, leading to restless sleep and frequent waking.
But all is not lost. A combination of smart hydration habits and effective dry mouth treatment can help reduce xerostomia symptoms and enable restful sleep.
Saliwell’s SaliPen device encourages natural saliva production through gentle electrostimulation, while SaliVance provides non-electrical oral moisture support through gentle contact beneath the tongue. Together, they help create a healthier, more comfortable oral environment throughout the hot summer days and nights.
In this article, we’ll explain how dry mouth differs from dehydration due to hot weather, why summer often exacerbates dry mouth symptoms, especially at night, and what you can do to stay hydrated and comfortable.
Xerostomia vs. Dehydration
A misconception about xerostomia is that it’s the same as dehydration, but this is not the case. Xerostomia is a clinical condition in which the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. It’s typically caused by medications, radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, disease, or injury.
Dehydration, on the other hand, occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Your body naturally loses water through sweating, breathing, and normal daily activities. During hot weather, these losses increase significantly. If you don’t replace the fluids you lose, you can become dehydrated.
In many cases, dehydration can be easily remedied by taking in more fluids. Dry mouth, on the other hand, typically needs clinical intervention (which we’ll discuss below). Even if you drink 10 liters of water a day, you can still have dry mouth. However, drinking sufficient water gives your body the best fighting chance at overcoming xerostomia.
Why Dehydration Makes Dry Mouth Worse
While dehydration can temporarily reduce saliva production in almost anyone, it’s particularly problematic for people who have xerostomia. Saliva is made up of 99% water, so when there isn’t enough in the body, the salivary glands lack the raw material that’s essential for saliva production.
During the summer, chances of dehydration are higher due to:
- Spending extended periods outdoors in the heat
- Increased sweating during exercise
- Air travel and long road trips
- Spending time in air-conditioned environments, which often have very low humidity
Dehydration can make dry mouth symptoms worse and reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Why Does Dry Mouth Get Worse at Night?
Dry mouth at night is often more severe than during the day because the body naturally produces less saliva when the sun goes down. With less saliva available to lubricate the mouth, existing symptoms intensify.
Additionally, many people unknowingly breathe through their mouth at night due to nasal congestion, allergies, snoring, or sleep apnea. Mouth breathing allows moisture to evaporate more quickly, leaving the mouth extremely dry by morning.
In the summer, when many people sleep with air conditioning or a fan blowing directly toward them, dry air increases, which in turn increases overnight moisture loss.
10 Tips for Staying Hydrated and Reducing Dry Mouth This Summer
Water is the basis for saliva production, so while drinking a lot of water is NOT a cure for dry mouth, it ensures your body will have the raw materials necessary to create as much saliva as it possibly can.
Here are 10 tips for staying hydrated during the day and night.
- Drink water consistently throughout the day
Instead of waiting until you’re thirsty, sip water regularly throughout the day. Small, frequent amounts are generally more effective than drinking a large amount all at once.
- Eat water-rich foods
Hydration doesn’t only come from water; many fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of H2O and can help support your overall hydration. Excellent choices include watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery.
At the same time, certain foods like coffee and alcohol are diuretics, i.e. they detract from the fluids in the body, and it’s best to stay away from them. If you have a hard time giving up coffee or alcoholic beverages, try balancing them with extra water throughout the day.
- Replace fluids after sweating
If you’ve spent time exercising, gardening, hiking, or enjoying outdoor activities, be sure to replace the fluids you’ve lost. For prolonged activity or excessive sweating, drinks containing electrolytes may also be helpful, particularly if recommended by your doctor.
- Stay cool whenever possible
Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat during the hottest hours of the day. Seeking shade, wearing lightweight clothing, and taking breaks indoors can reduce fluid loss and help your body maintain normal hydration.
- Maintain good oral hygiene
Brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and using alcohol-free oral care products can help protect teeth and gums when saliva production is reduced. Because saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids, maintaining excellent oral hygiene becomes even more important for people with dry mouth.
- Avoid smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping can irritate oral tissues and contribute to dry mouth. Combined with summer heat and dehydration, they may make symptoms even more uncomfortable than usual.
Reducing or quitting tobacco benefits both oral health and overall health.
- Support natural saliva production
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free lozenges or candies can help stimulate the salivary glands and encourage natural saliva production. Products containing xylitol may provide the added benefit of helping reduce the risk of tooth decay.
SaliPen and SaliVance are also excellent ways to support natural saliva production. SaliPen provides active saliva stimulation by delivering gentle micro-pulses to trigger natural saliva production, while SaliVance supports natural oral hydration through gentle oral contact that encourages a feeling of oral moisture.
- Stay hydrated before bed (without overdoing it)
Drink enough water during the evening to stay hydrated, but avoid consuming large amounts immediately before bedtime if it causes frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom.
- Avoid alcohol close to bedtime
Alcohol can contribute to dehydration and may also increase mouth breathing during sleep.
Choosing water instead of alcoholic drinks in the evening may help reduce overnight dryness.
- Use a humidifier
Air conditioning helps us sleep comfortably during the summer, but it also removes moisture from the air. Running a humidifier in your bedroom can increase humidity and help reduce overnight dryness, particularly if you sleep with your mouth open.
Dry Mouth Treatment
If dry mouth regularly disrupts your sleep or causes discomfort while eating and talking, it may be time to consider a targeted dry mouth treatment.
One of the most common dry mouth treatments is medication; cevimeline and pilocarpine are often effective at stimulating the salivary glands to produce more saliva, but they can come with unpleasant side effects. Artificial saliva is another option, but this only provides temporary relief from symptoms; it doesn’t treat the problem at its core.
Saliwell options stimulate the salivary glands, addressing the root of dry mouth without causing unpleasant side effects. SaliPen helps stimulate natural saliva production, while SaliVance provides moisture support to increase oral comfort.
Why Treating Dry Mouth Matters
Don’t wait for dry mouth to get better on its own. Don’t minimize the symptoms and try to “just power through it.” Dry mouth isn’t a challenge you need to overcome with grit and determination; it’s a medical condition that can cause pain and seriously detract from your oral health.
Managing dry mouth is about much more than relieving thirst; it’s about protecting your long-term oral health.
While summer may bring unique challenges to people living with dry mouth, a few simple habits, together with effective dry mouth treatment, can make a significant difference. So this summer, be proactive; discuss treatment options with your doctor or dentist. Take your oral comfort and hygiene into your own hands so you can experience a high quality of life in the summer, and year-round.
FAQs
Can drinking more water cure dry mouth?
No. Drinking water can help alleviate dry mouth symptoms, but chronic dry mouth typically requires clinical intervention.
Why is my dry mouth worse during the summer?
Higher temperatures, more time spent outdoors, air conditioning, and increased sweating can make dry mouth symptoms even more severe. Even mild dehydration can worsen dry mouth symptoms, especially in people with xerostomia.
Why is dry mouth at night worse than during the day?
Saliva production naturally decreases during sleep. Mouth breathing, air conditioning, snoring, and certain medications can all contribute to severe dryness overnight.
When should I seek treatment for dry mouth?
If dry mouth persists for several weeks, frequently wakes you at night, makes eating or speaking difficult, or leads to frequent cavities or oral discomfort, it’s a good idea to speak with your dentist or healthcare provider about treatment options.
What’s the difference between SaliPen and SaliVance?
SaliPen is an FDA-cleared medical device that provides active saliva stimulation by delivering gentle micro-pulses to trigger natural saliva production. It is ideal for moderate to severe oral dryness.
SaliVance is an oral wellness product that supports natural oral hydration through gentle oral contact that encourages a feeling of oral moisture. It is ideal for mild to moderate oral dryness.
Where can I buy Saliwell devices?
You can buy both SaliPen and SaliVance on the official Saliwell website.
