Sore Throat After Sleeping With Mouth Open: What to Do

Waking up with a sore throat after sleeping is not unusual. Many conditions can cause this problem, including dry mouth, acid reflux, post-nasal drip, and more. In this article, we will cover some of the most common reasons you might wake up with a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open and how to treat a sore throat in the morning at home. We will also discuss when to seek medical care, preventive steps, and what your doctor can do to help.

Is it normal to have a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open?

When you sleep with your mouth open, the tissues in your mouth and throat will dry. As a result, having a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open is not unusual.

Symptoms associated with a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open

Symptoms associated with a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open are similar to any sore throat. However, if you have a sore throat from sleeping with your mouth open, you probably won’t have other symptoms, like a fever or fatigue, that you may experience when you’re sick.

Instead, symptoms that commonly come with a sore throat that’s been caused by sleeping with your mouth open include:

Dry mouth

If you sleep with your mouth open, the air will dry out the tissues in your mouth. You may even have chapped lips.

Hoarse voice

You may develop hoarseness due to dry, irritated vocal cords.

Throat clearing

Many people who sleep with their mouths open develop irritation. They frequently clear their throats to try to relieve the itch.

Discomfort when swallowing

Your throat may feel uncomfortable or painful when you swallow.

Causes of sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open

There are several causes of a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open. Some causes are specific to sleeping with an open mouth, but others apply to any sore throat after sleeping.

Acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as “acid reflux,” can result in throat clearing, coughing, and a sore throat. GERD is often exacerbated by lying down too quickly after eating. This allows the stomach's acidic contents to flow backward into the esophagus.

Some lifestyle changes – like avoiding eating within two to three hours of sleeping and avoiding spicy or fatty foods – can improve your symptoms. Over-the-counter medications such as proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole) may also be helpful.

Allergies

Allergies can result in a scratchy or sore throat, particularly after sleeping with your mouth open. Sleeping with your mouth open may be more likely to occur if you have nasal congestion, which is common in people with allergies. Allergies can also result in sneezing and watery eyes.

Dehydration

We know that when you sleep with your mouth open, the tissues will dry out. This issue can be especially noticeable if you’re dehydrated.

Stay well-hydrated to avoid a scratchy or sore throat. A rule of thumb is that you are already somewhat dehydrated if you are thirsty.

Post-nasal drip

You may be sleeping with your mouth open because you have nasal congestion. Post-nasal drip can result in a dried-out, irritated throat after sleeping with your mouth open.

Snoring or sleep apnea

Snoring is common. It occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and allow the airflow to cause vibration in the surrounding tissues. This increases the likelihood of breathing through your mouth while sleeping. Snoring while sleeping with an open mouth can lead to drying out of tissues in your throat, which causes irritation.

Snoring can also indicate a more serious condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by periods of not breathing during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when the muscles of the throat relax and block the airway.

Infection

Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections are among the causes of a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open. A viral infection, like the common cold, can lead you to develop a sore throat or breathe through your mouth when you sleep due to congestion. A bacterial infection like strep throat can cause similar symptoms.

Tumor

In rare cases, either a benign or cancerous tumor can result in sleeping with your mouth open if the tumor obstructs your nasal passages or airway. Other symptoms, like pain with swallowing, hoarseness, or blood in your saliva, often accompany symptomatic tumors.

At-home remedies to soothe a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open

There are a few home remedies you can use to help your sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open:

Throat lozenges or hard candies

Sucking on lozenges or hard candies increases the production of saliva, soothing your throat.` Ice chips or popsicles can also soothe your throat while increasing saliva production

Warm salt water

Gargling with warm salt water is soothing to irritated throat tissues and can reduce the scratchy sensation associated with a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open. A half teaspoon of salt or baking soda dissolved in a glass of warm water is usually helpful for a sore throat.

Clear fluids

Staying hydrated with clear fluids will help avoid a sore throat from dry and irritated tissues.

Warm beverages

Clear, warm beverages like tea and broth hydrate and soothe irritated tissues.

Nasal saline rinse

Nasal saline rinses are available in the drugstore without a prescription. They relieve nasal congestion, reducing the chance of sleeping with your mouth open. A neti pot is a good way to use a nasal saline rinse. If you buy a mix, read the directions and use sterile water.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medications may be helpful depending on the cause of your sore throat. Antihistamines can prevent some of the post-nasal drip associated with allergies. NSAIDs or acetaminophen can relieve pain and fever. Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Prevacid) can reduce acid production in your stomach and relieve discomfort associated with GERD.

How to prevent waking up with a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open

You can prevent waking up with a sore throat by reducing the chances of sleeping with your mouth open and addressing lifestyle factors that might lead to irritation. Let’s take a closer look.

Exercise

Regular physical activity can help you keep off extra weight that may contribute to snoring and sleep apnea.

Healthy weight

If you are overweight, your risk of snoring or developing sleep apnea increases. Changes in diet and exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of snoring, sleep apnea, and waking up with a sore throat due to sleeping with your mouth open.

Don’t smoke

Smoking can contribute to a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open in many ways. Smoke is an irritant to the tissues of the throat. It can reduce the ability of your respiratory system to clear microscopic organisms that cause disease.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine can contribute to acid reflux, which can cause a sore throat in the morning.

Use a humidifier

The air inside can often be very dry, particularly in winter. Using a humidifier will keep the tissues of the respiratory tract moist, including nasal passages. This will reduce the incidence of a sore throat from sleeping with your mouth open.

When you should see a doctor for a sore throat

Although a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open is not unusual, it’s important to recognize when to consult your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation.

You should see a doctor if:

Consult a healthcare professional if you experience one or more of the following:

• A sore throat persists for more than a couple of days or comes back.
• A lump in your throat or neck.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Blood in your saliva.

You should go to the emergency room if:

Seek immediate medical attention if, in addition to symptoms like those above, you:

• Have a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Have trouble swallowing liquids.
• Have difficulty breathing or feel short of breath.
• Develop a rash or stiff neck
• Have severe pain.

Questions to ask your doctor about a sore throat

• What is the cause of my sore throat?
• Is my sore throat contagious?
• What changes can I make to treat or prevent my symptoms?

Frequently asked questions: waking up after sleeping with an open mouth

Below are a few more questions and answers about waking up with a sore throat that may help you better understand your symptoms:

How long does a sore throat from sleeping with your mouth open typically last?

A sore throat from sleeping with your mouth open should not last longer than a few days. You should see your doctor for evaluation if you have a sore throat for a week or longer.

What if your throat is extremely sore after sleeping with your mouth open?

Severe throat pain should prompt you to see your doctor, particularly if accompanied by difficulty swallowing, bulging in your throat, or a high fever.

What to remember about a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open

Having a sore throat after sleeping with your mouth open is not uncommon. Mouth breathing dries out the tissues in your mouth and throat, causing irritation that may linger when you wake up. However, a sore throat can also be a sign of infection or a potentially serious condition. If you have a persistent sore throat that causes severe pain, it’s best to check in with your healthcare provider.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

Kingshott, R. "Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health." American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers, 29 July 2024, https://aasm.org/rising-prevalence-of-sleep-apnea-in-u-s-threatens-public-health/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

MedlinePlus. “GERD.” National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 9 May 2018, https://medlineplus.gov/gerd.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Sleep Disorder Symptoms Among Adults in 8 States and the District of Columbia, 2017." 3 Jan. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2021/21_0305.htm. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.