Content

• Steps

Not having enough saliva in the mouth, a chronic sore throat or pain when chewing and swallowing food may be signs of dry mouth. Low saliva levels reduce the ability to fight bacteria and reduce the ability of the mouth to bring food from the lips to the throat of the mouth. Dry mouth can be caused by a number of habits, illnesses, medications, and general dehydration. There are many ways to treat dry mouth, but identifying the cause will help prevent dry mouth from coming back.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Change your diet

1. 

   Drink a lot of water. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of dry mouth. Taking a sip of water also helps to reduce dry mouth caused by illness or medication side effects.
   • Doctors recommend drinking 8-12 cups of water per day, each 240 ml cup to supplement enough water for the body.
   • However, too much water will dissolve the mucous membrane in the mouth and worsen the symptoms of dry mouth. If you find yourself drinking too much water to relieve dry mouth, talk to your doctor about other options.
   • In addition to sipping water, you can keep ice cubes in your mouth (not chewing) to reduce dry mouth.

2. 

   
   
   Avoid or limit caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it stimulates dehydration. As a result, caffeine can worsen the symptoms of dry mouth. You should drink plenty of fluids, but avoid coffee, tea, and certain sodas if you suffer from dry mouth.

3. 

   Eat sour food. Sour foods stimulate the salivary glands, so they are very helpful when you have a dry mouth. Certain acidic foods (such as citrus fruits) are also high in vitamin C.
   • Note, too much acid from sour foods can damage tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay. To reduce this risk, you should take a sip of water after eating sour food.

4. 

   
   
   Add sauce and gravy to dishes. Your ability to swallow hard foods is also affected if you suffer from dry mouth. Adding liquid ingredients like sauces or meat broths to dishes can make hard foods easier to swallow.

5. 

   Eat soft, moist foods. These foods do not require much chewing and are easier to swallow than dry, crunchy, and chewy foods like chewy meats and crispy bread. Eat soft foods like:
   • Yogurt
   • Pudding
   • Canned fruit
   • Mashed vegetables
   • Baked dishes have a broth or sauce ingredients
   • Chopped grains like oatmeal
   • Soups and stews
   • Fruit Smoothie
   • The meat is processed soft like boiled chicken

6. 

   
   
   Take a sip of water as you eat it. A dry mouth lacking saliva can cause pain or difficulty swallowing food. Drinking a little water while you eat can make it easier for you to swallow and replenish it. You can take a sip of water, take a bite and then take a sip of water. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Symptom control

1. 

   Maintain proper oral hygiene habits. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dry mouth due to the buildup of bacteria and plaque. In addition, dry mouth itself can increase your risk of cavities and other oral problems. So you need:
   • Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups and hygiene.
   • Brush your teeth after eating and floss regularly.
   • Avoid sweets and soft drinks.

2. 

   Use mouthwash. An over-the-counter mouthwash can help kill bacteria and plaque. Rinse your mouth at least twice a day, but use an alcohol-free mouthwash, as alcohol can make dry mouth worse. Your dentist may also recommend using a prescription fluoride mouthwash for tooth protection and / or a mouthwash that is specifically used to treat dry mouth.

3. 

   Chew sugar-free gum or candy. Chewing certain candies can help stimulate saliva production and soothe dry mouth. Sugar-free chewing gum, sugar-free candy, mint candy ... are the right choice and do not increase the risk of tooth decay or other oral problems.
   • Xylitol in sugar-free gum and candies can cause diarrhea or cramps if consumed in large amounts.

4. 

   Use an over-the-counter saliva substitute. There are a variety of sprays and products that can provide a saliva substitute when you have dry mouth. These products are available in most pharmacies. Choose products that contain xylitol, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethyl cellulose.

5. 

   
   
   Use a humidifier. Sometimes, dry mouth can be caused by a dry environment. Using a humidifier can help keep the indoor air moist and improve dry mouth symptoms.
   • You can find a humidifier at most drugstores or home appliance stores.
   • A humidifier can be used at any time, but it is best used in the bedroom at night.

6. 

   
   
   Breathe through your nose. One of the most common causes of dry mouth is breathing through your mouth, which causes more moisture to escape. Sometimes mouth breathing becomes a habit. So, you should correct this habit and breathe through your nose.
   • If you cannot breathe through your nose, ask your doctor about decongestants or other helpful methods.

7. 

   
   
   Protect lips from dryness. Dry mouth can be linked to dry, chapped lips and make you feel more uncomfortable. Applying lip balm regularly can help protect lips.

8. 

   Avoid smoking. Smoking cigarettes can affect the amount of saliva your mouth produces. Every time you smoke a cigarette, you are putting hot smoke in your mouth. The tar in cigarettes also irritates or blocks the salivary glands. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Get medical attention

1. 

   See your doctor or dentist. See a health professional if the dry mouth persists and the home remedies aren't working. Talk to your doctor about your medical history. Many diseases, conditions, and syndromes can cause dry mouth, including:
   • Diabetes
   • Parkinson disease
   • Sjögren's syndrome
   • Sicca syndrome (dry eyes and mouth)
   • Certain forms of radiation therapy
   • Some dental surgeries, like wisdom teeth extraction
   • Use of certain medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, pain relievers, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and more

2. 

   Take a prescription drug. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications used to treat dry mouth. Currently, there are some commonly used drugs such as:
   • Cevimeline has been used to treat dry mouth caused by Sjögren's syndrome.
   • Pilocarpine has been used to treat dry mouth caused by Sjögren's syndrome and radiation therapy.
   • Amifostine protects against radiation damage and has been shown to reduce the severity of dry mouth in some patients.

3. 

   Talk to your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Since dry mouth is often a side effect of medications, your doctor will need to take a look at all of the medications you are taking. If your dry mouth is severe, your doctor may prescribe another medication instead. In some cases, the irritation associated with dry mouth may outweigh the benefits of the medication.

4. 

   Follow your doctor's instructions. In many cases, dry mouth can become chronic or recurrent.If your doctor prescribes or recommends fluoride treatment for a while, you should follow the instructions correctly even if the dry mouth disappears after a few days. This can cure the root cause and dry mouth symptom. advertisement