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Why Do Teeth Feel Weird In The Morning?

It’s a common experience for many people to wake up and notice something feels “off” or strange about their teeth. You run your tongue across your teeth and they don’t quite feel like they normally do. What’s going on here? Why do teeth often feel weird or uncomfortable first thing in the morning? There are a few potential explanations.

Reasons Teeth May Feel Weird in the Morning

Dry Mouth

One of the most common reasons for teeth to feel odd in the morning is dry mouth or xerostomia. While we sleep, saliva production decreases significantly, allowing the mouth to become drier. Saliva helps cleanse the mouth and protect teeth from bacteria that cause cavities and other problems. With less saliva coating the teeth overnight, plaque bacteria can build up, leaving a weird feeling on the teeth.

Some factors that can contribute to dry mouth at night include:

Breathing through the mouth instead of nose during sleep – This can happen if the nose is congested from allergies or illness. Breathing through the open mouth causes air flow that can dry out the mouth.

Medications that reduce saliva flow – Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications list dry mouth as a side effect. Common culprits include antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, diuretics, muscle relaxants, and opioids.

Medical conditions like diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome – Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the salivary glands, reducing saliva output. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause dehydration and decreased saliva flow.

Aging – Saliva production tends to decrease as we get older.

Radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck – Radiation damage to the salivary glands is a common complication of cancer treatment, leading to chronically dry mouth.

Morning Breath

Morning breath is another reason teeth may feel strange when you first wake up. During sleep, bacteria continue to produce volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth which lead to the unpleasant odor many experience as morning breath. These sulfur compounds come from anaerobic bacteria feeding on food particles and dead cells shed from the oral surfaces. The sulfur compounds leave a weird metallic taste or feeling on the teeth.

While saliva flow decreases at night, allowing more bacterial buildup, morning breath can be exacerbated by:

Dry mouth – Insufficient saliva doesn’t wash away odor-causing bacteria as it normally would.

Food debris left on teeth overnight – Bacteria have more food source to act on.

Consumption of alcohol or caffeine before bed – Both alcohol and caffeine cause dry mouth which decreases the body’s ability to neutralize oral bacteria during sleep.

Smoking – Tobacco smoke encourages sulfur-producing bacteria. Smokers are more prone to morning breath.

Medications – Some drugs like sedatives, antihistamines, diuretics, and antipsychotics reduce saliva flow.

Poor oral hygiene – Not brushing or flossing before bed leaves more bacteria and food to break down overnight.

Buildup of Plaque and Bacteria

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that builds up on teeth. While we sleep, saliva flow decreases, giving bacteria more time to multiply and adhere to teeth. New plaque forms on the teeth overnight. Until this fresh layer of plaque is removed by brushing and flossing in the morning, it can leave teeth feeling fuzzy.

The longer plaque sits on teeth, the more damage it can do. Plaque bacteria like Streptococcus mutans feed on carbohydrates from foods, producing acids that can erode tooth enamel, causing cavities. If left for too long, plaque can also harden into tartar or calculus that requires professional cleaning to remove. Tartar provides an environment where plaque can thrive.

Brushing first thing in the morning helps disrupt and remove this buildup before it leads to more serious dental problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a type of gum disease marked by inflammation of the gums. It’s caused by a buildup of plaque along and under the gumline. The toxins from plaque bacteria trigger an inflammatory immune response, causing the gums to become swollen, red, and bleed easily. As gingivitis progresses, it can leave a weird sensitivity or tender feeling in the gums and teeth themselves.

In gingivitis, the plaque moves and accumulates below the gumline, where brushing and flossing cannot reach to remove it. Toxins produced by the plaque bacteria provoke the host inflammatory response. Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis and damage the soft tissues and bone supporting the teeth.

Symptoms of gingivitis include:

Sensitive, painful gums

Red, swollen gums

Bleeding when brushing

Bad breath

Receding gums – a sign of progressing periodontitis

Gingivitis is generally reversible with professional treatment and improved daily oral hygiene. But if not properly managed, it can cause irreversible periodontal disease and eventual tooth loss.

Misaligned Teeth

For some people, teeth that are crooked or that don’t fit together properly can feel weird first thing in the morning due to nighttime clenching and grinding of the teeth.

Clenching or bruxism involves tightly pressing or clenching the top and bottom teeth together, often unconsciously while sleeping. This can put excessive force on the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles.

Grinding takes clenching a step further and involves forcefully rubbing the top and bottom teeth back and forth against one another. This grinding action can wear down tooth enamel over time.

Misaligned teeth are especially prone to nighttime grinding because there are more uneven surfaces rubbing against each other. This can make teeth feel uncomfortable or painful when waking up in the morning. The muscles of the jaw may also feel sore after a night of overuse due to clenching and grinding.

When to See a Dentist

While morning tooth weirdness is often harmless, certain symptoms warrant a dental visit. It’s a good idea to see a dentist if any of the following apply:

Teeth are extremely sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks – This may indicate tooth decay, cracked teeth, or loss of enamel.

Gums are swollen, red, and bleed easily – These can be signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Bleeding gums never should be considered normal.

Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth – Chronic bad breath can mean gum disease and tooth decay.

White, brown, or black spots appear on teeth – Discoloration may occur from enamel loss, trauma, medications, or cavities.

Teeth feel loose, cracked, or chipped – This can allow decay to advance and infect the pulp tissue inside the tooth.

Oral ulcers or sores that don’t heal – Prolonged mouth sores can indicate an underlying condition.

Jaw pain, stiffness, or difficulty opening and closing mouth – May signal TMJ/TMD disorders, tooth abscess, or other issues.

These can be signs of more serious dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, or TMJ disorders. When caught early, these conditions can often be treated more simply and affordably. Letting issues progress can lead to tooth loss.

Preventing Weird Morning Teeth

While waking up with odd feeling teeth is common, there are things you can do to help prevent it:

Have a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine

Brush teeth twice a day and floss once daily – This removes plaque before it can harden into tartar and cause dental issues.

Use antimicrobial mouthwash – Rinsing with a mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride, essential oils, or chlorine dioxide can help kill bacteria missed by brushing.

Clean tongue – Bacteria and dead cells on the tongue contribute to bad breath. Gently brushing or scraping the tongue reduces odor-causing buildup.

Avoid eating/drinking sugary or acidic foods and beverages which can degrade tooth enamel – Sugar feeds plaque bacteria while acids weaken enamel.

Drink water throughout the day to stimulate saliva flow – Staying hydrated prevents dry mouth.

Address Risk Factors

Get treatment for dry mouth – Your dentist may recommend moisture-retaining gels/lozenges or prescription medications to stimulate saliva flow.

Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption – Both smoking and regular alcohol use increase oral bacteria accumulation and dry mouth.

Use a night guard if you grind your teeth – Custom night guards protect teeth from grinding damage. Reduce caffeine and manage stress to curb clenching.

Sleep with your mouth closed instead of open – Keeping your lips sealed prevents the airflow that can dry out your mouth at night.

Get Regular Dental Cleanings & Exams

Professional cleanings every 6 months remove hardened plaque and tartar that you can’t brush away. Tartar above and below the gumline fuels gum disease.

Routine exams detect early signs of decay and other problems like oral cancer – Your dentist can spot issues you may have missed and prevent extensive treatment later on.

Taking good daily care of your teeth and gums and seeing a dentist regularly are the best ways to keep your smile healthy and prevent that “weird teeth” feeling when you wake up!

(12/18/2023)
by CDHP Dental Health

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