Cope With Dry Mouth

If you do not seem to have enough saliva in your mouth, have a chronically sore throat, or pain when chewing and swallowing food, you may have dry mouth, also known as cotton mouth or xerostomia. Low levels of saliva reduce your mouth's ability to fight off bacteria and to pass food easily from your lips down your throat. Certain habits, diseases, medications, and general dehydration can cause dry mouth. There are many ways to treat dry mouth, but figuring out what is causing it in your case may prevent it in the future.

Steps

Making Dietary Choices

1. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of dry mouth. Sipping water can also help to relieve dry mouth when it is caused by disease or as a side effect of medication.
   • Doctors recommend drinking eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses of water each day to keep hydrated.
   • Drinking too much water, however, can actually dissolve the mucus lining of the mouth and worsen the symptoms of dry mouth. If you feel the need to drink excessive amounts of water to soothe your dry mouth, ask a doctor about other options.
   • You can also dissolve (not crunch) ice chips in your mouth in addition to sipping water.
2. Avoid or limit caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it promotes fluid loss. For this reason, caffeine can worsen the symptoms of dry mouth. Make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid coffee, tea, and certain sodas if you suffer from dry mouth.
3. Eat sour foods. Sour foods stimulate the salivary glands, so consuming these can help if you are struggling with dry mouth. Some sour foods (such as citrus fruits) are also good sources of vitamin C.
   • Too much acid from sour foods, however, can wear away the enamel of your teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay. To reduce this risk, sip water as you eat sour foods.
4. Add sauces and gravies to your dishes. If you suffer from dry mouth, your ability to swallow solid foods may be affected. Try adding liquid-based additives like sauces and gravies to your recipes to make “rough” solid foods easier to swallow.
5. Eat soft, moist foods. These foods will require less chewing, and be more comfortable to swallow than dry, crunchy, or chewy foods like tough meats and crusty breads. Good choices include:
   • Yogurt
   • Pudding
   • Canned fruit
   • Mashed vegetables
   • Casseroles made with a broth or sauce base
   • Thinned cereals, such as oatmeal
   • Soups and stews
   • Fruit smoothies
   • Soft cooked meats such as boiled chicken
6. Sip water when you eat. Because dry mouths lack saliva, the condition can make it more difficult or painful to swallow food. If you make sure to sip water while eating, however, it can make things easier and help keep you hydrated. Try taking a sip of water, then a bite of food, then have another sip of water.

Controlling Your Symptoms

1. Maintain good oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene can cause dry mouth by allowing the build up of bacteria and plaque. In addition, dry mouth itself can increase your risk of cavities and other oral health problems. Make sure to:
   • See your dentist regularly for check ups and cleanings.
   • Brush your teeth after each meal, and floss regularly.
   • Avoid sugary food and drinks.
2. Use an oral rinse. Over-the-counter (OTC) mouthwashes can help kill bacteria and fight plaque build-up. Use one at least twice a day, but make sure that it is alcohol-free, since alcohol-based formulas may worsen dry mouth. Your dentist may also recommend a prescription-strength fluoride rinse to protect your teeth, and/or a rinse that is specifically meant to treat dry mouth.
3. Chew sugar-free gum or candies. Chewing or sucking on certain substances can promote saliva production and soothe dry mouth. Sugar-free gums, candies, mints, etc. can help in this way without increasing your chance of developing cavities or other oral health problems.
   • Xylitol, which is often found in sugar-free gums and candies, can cause diarrhea or cramps is consumed in large quantities.
4. Use over-the-counter saliva substitutes. Various sprays and other products are available that can supply you with an artificial saliva substitute if you suffer from dry mouth. These are available at most pharmacies. Look for one that contains xylitol, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethyl cellulose.
5. Use a humidifier. Sometimes, dry mouth can simply be caused by a dry environment. Many modern homes are very dry, but a cool mist humidifier can replace some moisture into the air and alleviate your symptoms.
   • You can find cool mist humidifiers at most pharmacies and many department stores.
   • You can use a humidifier any time, but it can be particularly helpful if you use it in your bedroom at night.
6. Breathe through your nose. One of the most common causes of dry mouth is simply breathing through your mouth, which causes more moisture to escape. Sometimes this is habitual, so make a concerted effort to breathe through your nose.
   • If you cannot breathe through your nose, ask your doctor about nasal decongestion or other techniques that can help.
7. Protect dry lips. Dry mouth can also be associated with dry or cracked lips, which can make the condition more uncomfortable. Regularly applying lip balm, however, will protect your lips.
8. Avoid using tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco can affect the amount of saliva your mouth produces. Every time you take a drag on your cigarette, you pull more hot smoke into your mouth. The tar from the cigarette can also irritate or clog your salivary glands.

Getting Medical Help

1. See a doctor or a dentist. If your dry mouth is persistent and at-home remedies haven’t done the trick, it is time to see a professional. Discuss your full medical history with your doctor. Numerous conditions, diseases, and syndromes can cause dry mouth, including:
   • Diabetes
   • Parkinson’s disease
   • Sjögren’s syndrome
   • Sicca syndrome
   • Certain forms of radiation therapy
   • Some dental surgeries, like having your wisdom teeth removed
   • The use of some medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, blood pressure treatments, antidepressants, and many others
2. Get a prescription for a secretagogue. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication designed to treat dry mouth. Currently, there are a few options:
   • Cevimeline is approved to treat dry mouth caused by Sjögren’s syndrome.
   • Pilocarpine is approved to treat dry mouth caused by Sjögren’s syndrome as well as by radiation therapy.
   • Amifostine protects against the damage of radiation, and studies show that it can reduce the severity of dry mouth for many patients.
3. Talk to your doctor about all medications you are taking. Since dry mouth is often caused as a side-effect of medications, you doctor should review any that you are taking. If your dry mouth is severe, he or she may be able to write a prescription for a different medication to eliminate one that is causing the problem. In some cases, the irritation associated with dry mouth outweighs the intended benefits of the medication.
4. Follow your doctor’s instructions. In many cases, your problem may be chronic or reoccurring. If you doctor tells you to take a prescription or to use a fluoride treatment for a period of time, follow his or her instructions even if your dry mouth goes away after a couple of days. Doctors try to treat root causes and their symptoms.

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