Six Home Remedies for Dry Mouth

We've all had moments when we've felt like the insides of our mouths have turned into a desert. Being nervous, scared, or even excited can cause temporary cases of dry mouth. Usually, they don't last for long.

But, for some people, dry mouth (or xerostomia) is a serious medical condition. Dry mouth can make doing every-day things, like chewing, swallowing, or even talking difficult. Dry mouth can also alter your sense of taste, and cause a constant tingling or burning sensation in your tongue. Those who have dry mouth can suffer from bad breath, gum infections, tooth decay, and splits and sores at the corners of their mouths.

Lots of things can cause dry mouth. For some, it's just a natural part of the aging process. As they get older, their salivary glands produce less saliva.

Dry mouth can also be caused by certain illnesses, like diabetes, stroke, and depression. Cancer treatments can also cause dry mouth.

However, most cases of dry mouth seem to be caused by medications used to treat a host of different conditions, including depression, high blood pressure, and pain. And it's not just prescription drugs that can cause dry mouth. Some over-the-counter medications can do it, too.

Consuming caffeine, smoking, and chewing tobacco can also contribute to dry mouth.

If you frequently have a dry mouth, see a doctor. If they can find the cause of your dry mouth, they might be able to treat it. However, if they can't, here are some ways you can deal with your dry mouth yourself.

Treat dry mouth by drinking plenty of water.

Those who suffer from dry mouth should drink water frequently, even when they aren't feeling thirsty. So, you should have a glass or bottle of water with you at all times, and take sips of water often. The water will help keep your mouth moist.

If you have dry mouth, avoid sugar.

While keeping your mouth moist is important, don't do it with soda. One thing saliva does is partially counteract the harmful effects sugary foods and drinks can have on your teeth. But, if you have dry mouth, your salivary glands might not be producing enough saliva to do the job effectively. And soda is filled with sugar and acid that can harm your teeth.

Along with avoiding sodas, you should try to avoid other sugary foods and drinks as well.

Those with dry mouth must protect their teeth.

Lack of saliva can lead to many dental problems, like tooth decay and gum disease. So it's important to protect your teeth. Brush and floss regularly and often. And use toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride.

Use a humidifier to help moisten your dry mouth.

When you have dry mouth, moisture in the air of any room you spend lots of time in could help. Buy humidifiers for the rooms in your home in which you spend lots of time. If possible, buy a humidifier to use at work as well.

Soothe dry mouth with over-the-counter saliva substitutes.

You can buy artificial saliva sprays and rinses over-the-counter. Look for them at your local drug store.

Sugarless chewing gum can stimulate saliva production and soothe your dry mouth.

When you eat, your salivary glands produce saliva to moisten the food so you can swallow it. You can trick those salivary glands into thinking you need more saliva by chewing some sugarless gum. If you can't chew gum, sucking on a piece of sugar-free candy will also work.

Try these home remedies, and you can soothe the pain and discomfort of dry mouth, and steer clear of the unpleasant side effects.