Dry Mouth

What can I do to manage Dry Mouth?
 

1. Drink water frequently to keep your mouth moist and loosen mucus. Carry water with you to sip throughout the day and keep water by your bed at night.
2. Eat sugar-free hard candies, ice chips, or sugar-free popsicles. Chew sugarless gum. These actions help stimulate saliva flow.
3. Moisten foods with broths, soups, sauces, gravy, creams, and butter or margarine. Eat soft, moist foods that are cool or at room temperature.
4. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide. These ingredients will further dry out your mouth.
5. Avoid salty foods, dry foods and foods and beverages with high sugar content.
6. Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol increases water loss by triggering frequent urination. Alcohol, as well as caffeine, also dries out the mouth. Also avoid acidic beverages, such as any fruit juices and tomato juice.
7. Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home, especially at night.
8. Quit smoking.
9. Minimize your intake of spicy or salty foods as these may cause pain in a dry mouth.
10. Use a moisturizer on your lips to minimize irritation.
11. Contact your physician and discuss your condition. There are certain medications and medical treatments that cause dry mouth.
12. Contact our office and we will evaluate your condition. There are specialized dental mouth rinses that can ease the discomfort of dry mouth symptoms.