Chronic Dry Mouth: Get Relief With These Effective Tips

Find relief for your chronic dry mouth

Can’t seem to get rid of your chronic dry mouth? Dry mouth, sticky mouth or xerostomia (now that’s a mouthful!): Whatever you call it, a lack of saliva or moisture in the mouth can be irritating and even embarrassing. But who says you have to put up with it? There’s a lot you can do to reduce the problem.

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth happens when your saliva glands aren’t producing enough to make your mouth feel wet. This can be caused by medications – over 400 of them, including antihistamines, as well as drugs used to treat depression and high blood pressure.

Dry mouth can also be a symptom of a disease like diabetes. Or it can happen because of hormonal changes associated with menopause.

People who’ve had nerve damage or cancer treatment may have a permanently pasty mouth.

Besides that uncomfortable furry-mouth feeling, a constantly dry mouth can lead to other complications.

“Saliva is extremely important in maintaining healthy oral tissues, and in controlling tooth decay,” says Dr. Robert MacGregor, a dentist in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Saliva helps wash away food particles, acids and bacteria. Without it, you may experience more cavities and infections.

A dry mouth can also make it harder to chew and taste your food. And it may lead to cracked lips or a sore throat. It may also make your voice sound hoarse and your breath smell, well, bad.

How to relieve your chronic dry mouth

Skip certain drinks
Avoid caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and carbonated drinks. All of these can dry out your mouth more.

Avoid certain foods
Foods that are very spicy or salty can cause pain and irritation in a mouth that’s already dry, says the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. And try not to eat sweet, sticky foods.

Without the saliva to cleanse your teeth, you’re more likely to develop cavities from these treats. If you do give in to your cravings, brush your teeth right away afterwards.

Check your product ingredients
Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as they will have a drying effect on your mouth tissues. Also, you may want to avoid toothpaste that contains sodium laurel sulfate. It’s a type of salt, so it may cause a burning feeling in your mouth.

Add moisture to your mouth
As for what you can do, there are many strategies that can make your mouth wetter. “What we like to see people do is try to stimulate saliva flow as much as possible,” says Dr. MacGregor.

Get the juices flowing
Chewing sugarless gum will cause saliva to collect in your mouth, so will sucking on sugarless candies, especially in stimulating flavours like lemon, mint or cinnamon.

Wet your whistle
Take frequent small sips of water, or spritz your mouth regularly with a small mister filled with water. “It’s not as good as saliva because water doesn’t have the same properties,” Dr. MacGregor says. “But at least it gets some moisture in the mouth.”

Go shopping
Check with your dentist for recommendations on products like toothpastes and oral rinses (mouthwashes) that are specially made to soothe your mouth tissues. Your dentist may also prescribe artificial saliva swabs or sprays.

Moisten your air
Keep a humidifier running in your bedroom so you’re not exposed to dry air at night.

Tell your doctor
If your dry mouth is caused by medication, your health care provider may be able to adjust the dosage or put you on a different drug.