Learn how to do anything: How to Prevent Dry Mouth

Also known as “cotton mouth,” dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition in which a person does not have enough saliva in their mouth. Depending on the severity of dry mouth, it may be difficult to swallow, talk, eat, or taste food. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, symptoms of dry mouth may include “a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth; trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking; a burning feeling in the mouth; a dry feeling in the throat; cracked lips; a dry, rough tongue; mouth sores; and/or an infection in the mouth.”^[1] Individuals suffering from dry mouth are also at risk for dental decay, mouth infections or gum disease. Fortunately, many simple home remedies, especially when used in combination, can help increase the production of saliva and reduce the impact of dry mouth.

Steps

Changing your Diet

Drink plenty of water. Consume at least 2 quarts of plain water per day (this amounts to 8 eight-ounce glasses). This will keep your body – and mouth – hydrated.Taking sips or eating ice chips throughout the day will ensure you are consistently drinking enough water. Add water or other fluid-based mixtures (such as creams, dressings, soups, sauces, etc.) to foods to ease swallowing.
Eat foods that increase saliva. Eat tart or sour foods such as lemons, limes, sour candies, and pickles, which may help you produce moisture in your mouth, increasing saliva.
Chew sugarless gum. Chewing motions will help stimulate the production of saliva. Sugarless gum is preferred, particularly if you chew gum all day, because gum with sugar in it can contribute to tooth decay.
Refrain from foods and beverages that contribute to dry mouth. Avoid foods and beverages such as alcohol, caffeinated beverages, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and salty foods. Processed foods like fried foods, instant meals, and canned foods often contain high amounts of salt, so try avoiding these. They can can be dehydrating and can contribute to a loss of moisture.

Changing your Daily Regimen

Avoid toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in them. This ingredient is commonly used in many home products (toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, detergents) because it is a detergent that generates foam when agitated.^[2] SLS will dehydrate your mouth. Instead, choose a natural toothpaste, most likely available in the health foods or natural foods section of your grocery store. You also should protect your teeth with fluoride. With dry mouth, you have less saliva in your mouth. This can contribute to tooth decay, and your teeth need extra protection. Use a fluoride-based toothpaste or fluoride rinse once a day to give your teeth an extra coating of protection.^[3]
Avoid regular mouthwashes and mouth rinses. These often contain alcohol or peroxide, which can dry out your mouth.^[4] Instead, look for mouthwashes that contain xylitol, which is a sweetener and is often added to products to help minimize dry mouth.^[5]
Try products that produce artificial saliva. There are over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed products that create artificial saliva and stimulate the production of natural saliva. Artificial saliva is not a complete substitute for natural saliva, since it does not contain the digestive and antibacterial enzymes that natural saliva contains. But it can be useful in relieving the discomfort of dry mouth. Artificial saliva products may be available in rinses, sprays, toothpastes or washes. Many of these products do not require a prescription, but they are not often easy to find. Ask your pharmacist to help locate these products.^[6]
Breathe through your nose as much as possible. Instead of breathing through your mouth, make a conscious effort to breathe through your nose. If you have a dry, stuffy nose, you may have trouble breathing comfortably through your nose. Moisturize your nasal passages by using a nasal saline spray, which will help with a dry, stuffy nose. ^[7]
Use a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, and is particularly useful in dry regions or during the winter months when home heating makes the air inside your home dry. This appliance can be especially helpful to use when you sleep. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a humidifier. Excessive use of a humidifier can produce condensation on your walls, which can lead to mold growth. Also refrain from sitting in front of a heater, fan, or air conditioner, as these can reduce your body's moisture level, in turn increasing your mouth's dryness.

Talking to Your Doctor or Dentist

Talk to your doctor or dentist. There may be an underlying cause for your dry mouth that cannot be fixed with simple steps that can be done at home. The doctor or dentist can prescribe stronger medicines or check for other disorders.
Keep a record of your symptoms, regimen and efforts to prevent dry mouth. Having this information handy when you talk to your doctor will help them figure out what is causing the condition. When you visit the doctor to talk about dry mouth, they will likely ask you questions about your diet, smoking habits, oral cleaning routines, medications, and medical history. If you have a detailed calendar of these things, they will be able to rule out certain things more quickly, and will be able to prescribe next steps more quickly.
Manage your medications. Take inventory of the medications you currently take. If you take any medications, these may add to your dry mouth symptoms. In fact, one of the most common side effects for over a thousand prescription and over-the-counter medications is dry mouth. Even regularly used medicines such as antihistamines, diuretics and decongestants can cause dry mouth. Often, cancer patients suffer from dry mouth, because chemotherapy and radiation treatments can change the composition of saliva. Consult your physician or dentist to determine how to best manage your medications to limit dry mouth.^[8]^[9]
Rule out more serious medical conditions. There are more serious medical conditions that trigger dry mouth. For example, Sjögren’s syndrome is a disorder that affects the immune system, and is predominantly found in postmenopausal women. Two of the major symptoms are dry mouth and dry eyes. Your doctor may be able to prescribe certain medicines to decrease these symptoms.^[10]
- There are a number of other conditions and disorders that cause dry mouth, including rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, bone marrow transplantation, endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction and neurological diseases like cerebral palsy.^[11]