How to Deal with Dry Mouth

It’s normal for your mouth to feel dry every once in a while. Dry mouth can be caused by many different things, and when short-lived, it shouldn’t be something to stress over. Consistent dry mouth or dry mouth that doesn’t go away after intervention may lead to more serious problems.

Saliva is very important in helping flush out our oral cavity. Saliva also helps to neutralize your mouth after a meal or acidic exposure. This is vital in keeping your teeth healthy and free of decay.

If you have found that your mouth is dry or sticky, try these simple interventions to see if the problem improves. If your problem does not improve, reach out to your doctor or dentist for help in getting to the root cause of your dry mouth so that you can avoid long-term problems.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum can help to increase salivary products. If you find your mouth getting dry in between meals, you may find that chewing gum is a helpful lubricant.

Make sure that you chew sugar-free gum, as sugar can lead to problems with cavities developing in your teeth.

Increase Your Fluid Intake

Getting enough fluids is important so that your body can produce adequate saliva, but consuming fluids also helps to lubricate your mouth, so things don’t feel so dry. What fluids you consume is also crucial, as some fluids work to hydrate your body while others actually dehydrate your body.

The best fluid to drink is water. Your body needs enough water to survive but also to thrive. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day, and you will be on your way to staying well hydrated.

If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night or the morning with a dry mouth, it may be beneficial to keep a glass of water next to your bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night, you can take a sip of water and keep your mouth refreshed.

Talk To Your Doctor About Your Meds

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications. If you find that your dry mouth is not improved by using a humidifier or saliva substitute, you may want to discuss possible options with your doctor. Perhaps there is another medication that can be recommended but as always seek out this information from your doctor.

Limit Caffeine And Alcoholic Drinks

Did you know that caffeinated and alcoholic drinks tend to dehydrate your body? It’s not bad to have a drink in moderation but be mindful that it may require increasing your water intake throughout the day to stay properly hydrated.

Try A Saliva Substitute

Certain mouth rinses work as saliva substitutes when you swish with them; they help to lubricate your mouth. There are a few different ones on the market today, such as Biotene mouth rinse. Any mouth rinses with alcohol will act oppositely as they tend to dry out tissues.

Use a Humidifier

During the winter months, the air in your house can get very dry. Increasing the amount of moisture in the air with a humidifier can help to alleviate things like dry mouth and dry skin.

Avoid Smoking or Using Tobacco Products

Smoking and using tobacco products have also been linked to dry mouth. In addition to dry mouth, smoking also reduces blood flow to your mouth and gum tissue. This dry environment paired with a lack of blood flow significantly increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

If you find yourself with a dry mouth, know that you don’t need to suffer from it. There are many options listed above that you can try to improve your situation. It is always best to get to the root cause of the dry mouth, as addressing this will cure the problem rather than mask it.