A dry mouth or xerostomia is when your mouth does not produce enough saliva. The insides of your mouth feeling dry, can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to eat and speak. A dry mouth in itself is not a diagnosable condition but a symptom of another health condition. Some home remedies can help provide relief.
Dry mouth, if left untreated, can get worse with time. You may notice changes in taste, difficulty swallowing food, and cracks on your lips. If your dry mouth does not cure with home remedies, there might be some severe underlying issue. Speak to a dentist in Berkeley, CA, to determine the problem.
Here’s how to cure dry mouth symptoms with home remedies
- Stay hydrated.
If you have a dry mouth, one thing you should do several times during the day is to drink water. Stay hydrated, and drink as much liquid as you can throughout the day. Ensure you drink at least 12 full glasses of water unless your doctor suggests something else. Always keep one or more water bottles with you so you can drink frequently.
- Avoid certain medications.
Some medications can dry out your mouth. In fact, more than 90% of dry mouth cases are caused due to medications only. Check whether you intake the following:
- hormone medications
- bronchodilators
- antihistamines
- antihypertensives
Before you stop taking your medication, be sure to consult your doctor first. You should never discontinue your medications without your doctor’s approval.
- Water spray bottle.
A water spray bottle can provide great relief whenever your mouth feels dry and you need a few drops of water to keep it wet. Adding a few drops of glycerine or aloe vera can increase its effects and make it last for a long time. You can easily find glycerine in the market at a low price. Put some drops of glycerine in water and use it to rinse your mouth for relief.
- Gum or hard candy.
Chewing sugarless gum and sucking on sugarless hard candies have proven effective for some people to get relief from a dry mouth. However, ensure sugar-free gum and candies to avoid calories and carbs.
- Be wary of dehydrating habits.
As you drink 12 glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated, make sure you also kick out some dehydration habits. The following items can cause dehydration:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Sugar
Limit or completely eliminate the intake of these food items to avoid promoting dry mouth symptoms. If the symptoms do not improve with time, visit a dentist in Berkeley, CA, today.
