Remedies for Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is not only distracting, it can also lead to serious problems. Dry mouth is often accompanied by thirst, mouth and lip sores, dry, irritated throat and hoarseness, a burning and tingling tongue, bad breath, as well as difficulty swallowing, tasting food, chewing and speaking.

Dry mouth can be a side effect of hundreds of prescription medications, or of diseases and conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, menopause, Alzheimer's rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's, mumps, stroke, and Sjögren's syndrome.

Radiation to the head and neck or chemotherapy for cancer treatment may dry out your mouth, as does anything that causes nerve damage in that area or general dehydration, such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting and blood loss. Tobacco, either smoking or chewing, can also decrease saliva production.

Dry mouth contributes to tooth decay, gum disease and mouth infections. It may make wearing dentures more difficult.

Home remedies for dry mouth include avoiding caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and opting for water or fruit juice. Sip water all day to keep the mouth moist. Also, remember to rinse your mouth after you eat or drink.

Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Instead, chew gum and suck on hard candy, which will help stimulate saliva production. Try to stick to the sugarless variety, as refined sugar contributes to the bacteria in plaque, which leads to mouth acid and eventually tooth decay, particularly in the absence of sufficient saliva.

If you have dry mouth, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. You should also floss regularly and use a fluoride rinse.

At night, try a humidifier or vaporizer to keep the air around you moist.

Herbal remedies for dry mouth include green, chamomile and ginger teas.

If all else fails, you can buy artificial saliva rinses and sprays over the counter.

I often get dry mouth when I become anxious. Effective long-term remedies for the dry mouth caused by acute anxiety are meditation and yoga.

My personal favorite remedies for dry mouth are thinking about sucking on a lemon (which instantly creates saliva) and simply remembering to breathe through my nose, not my mouth.