You develop dry mouth when salivary glands in your mouth fail to produce enough saliva. Of course, it can cause some discomfort, but it can also lead to several dental conditions such as gum disease and tooth decay. So many factors go into causing the problem called dry mouth. It could happen due to nutritional deficiencies, medication, cancer treatment, stress, and even some systemic diseases. You need to work with your doctor to identify the best treatments.

Dry Mouth Treatment

Identifying the underlying cause of dry mouth will help determine the best treatment option. And you can always try some home remedies to make your condition more manageable. Here are some suggestions.

1. Try Sugar-Free Candies

Sucking on candies (sugar-free) can help stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth. Sucking on mints may also help treat your problem temporarily. Be sure to select sugar-free products only because sugar increases your risk of developing tooth decay and complicates the whole situation.

2. Avoid Mouth Breathing

You should make a conscious effort to breathe through your nose all the time. If you do not breathe through your nose, you are only going to make your oral condition worse. Some people start mouth breathing because they just cannot seem to breathe through nose due to congestion or allergies. If that is the case, be sure to see your doctor to resolve these issues first.

3. Say No to Smoking

No dry mouth treatment would work if you do not quit smoking. You have to throw cigarettes out of your life to prevent dry mouth and many other serious health complications. Work with your healthcare provider to learn different ways to quit smoking.

4. Have a Humidifier Installed

You should use a humidifier to ensure there is enough moisture in the air around you. Dry air can trigger allergy symptoms and make it difficult to breathe through your nose. Moreover, you will be able to sleep peacefully when you breathe in this treated air. So, invest in a good quality humidifier to treat your dry mouth.

5. Try Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Another temporary dry mouth treatment is to use alcohol-free mouthwashes. Keep in mind that most commercially available mouthwashes contain alcohol that can leave your mouth dry. You have to avoid them and ensure that you are putting your money on some alcohol-free mouthwash to help flush bacteria out of your mouth.

6. Drink More Fluids

Dehydration is among the most common causes of dry mouth. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids daily to prevent dehydration. Proper hydration goes a long way in helping your body to produce more saliva and keep dry mouth symptoms at bay. It is better to drink water throughout the day, but you can also suck on small pieces of ice. It is also a good idea to eat partly frozen chunks of water-rich veggies and fruits, such as watermelon, pineapple, and cucumber. You also include fruit juice, smoothies, and vegetable juice in your diet. Herbal teas like chamomile tea, green tea, and others will also help. Stay away from caffeinated beverages because they can aggravate your condition.

7. Use Cayenne Pepper

Using cayenne pepper is an effective way to trigger saliva production. It is also going to bolster the taste buds, making it easier for you to distinguish sweet, sour, bitter, and salty flavors. A simple way to use ground cayenne pepper is to press it on your wet finger and then rub around your tongue to stimulate your salivary glands. Do not forget to use cayenne pepper powder in your salads, soups, and other dishes.

8. Opt for Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds contain flavonoids that help stimulate your salivary glands and increase the flow of saliva in your mouth. Its aromatic flavor will also help prevent bad breath that is usually associated with dry mouth. You can simply munch on these seeds throughout the day or include them in your dishes.

9. Try Slippery Elm

The presence of mucilage is the reason why slippery elm can be used as dry mouth treatment. When mixed with water, mucilage turns into a slick gel that soothes your mouth and throat. It can also help relieve certain symptoms of dry mouth. Simply take a cup of hot water and add a couple of tablespoons of slippery elm to it. Let it steep for 10 minutes and strain it. Add some honey to it and drink it twice a day to treat your dry mouth.

10. Make Use of Oil Pulling

When used correctly, oil pulling is one great way to promote better oral health. It also proves effective against dry mouth because it keeps your mouth moist all the time. You can also use this technique if you are concerned about bad breath. You can use coconut, sesame, or other edible vegetable oils to use this technique. Here is what you need to do:

• Take a tbsp. of coconut oil and put it in your mouth.
• Swish it well around your mouth for about 15 minutes.
• Do not swallow it. Spit it out after 15 minutes and use warm water to rinse your mouth.
• Now, get your brush and clean your teeth as usual.
• Repeat once a day for several days to get good results.