Sleeping with your mouth open is relatively common and may happen occasionally or regularly. While waking up with a dry mouth can be an obvious sign, some people may not realize they are breathing through their mouth while asleep.
Mouth breathing during sleep can have several possible effects, particularly when it happens frequently.
Dry Mouth and Oral Health
Breathing through the mouth can reduce moisture in the mouth during sleep. This may contribute to morning dryness or an unpleasant feeling after waking.
Saliva plays an important role in protecting the teeth and maintaining a healthy oral environment. When the mouth remains dry for extended periods, the risk of certain oral health problems may increase, particularly when other risk factors are present.
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