If you suffer from dry mouth – also referred to as xerostomia – you know all too well how uncomfortable it can be. Recurring dry mouth can be caused by a variety of things – from certain types of medications to disease of the salivary glands to diabetes to hormone imbalances and more. But dry mouth is much more than simply a nuisance. In fact, having chronic dry mouth can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, mouth sores and gum disease. It can even have a negative impact on how you chew and digest food! So it’s important that you rid yourself of this problem as soon as you can. Here are some effective at-home treatment methods for dry mouth:
- Drink water. Okay, so that may sound pretty obvious. But it actually works! Not only will drinking water throughout the day help resolve your dry mouth; it will benefit your overall health as well. Just keep a glass of water handy and sip on it throughout the course of each day. You may be surprised at how well this all-too-obvious solution actually works.
- Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gums helps to stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva. Another benefit to sugar-free gum – it actually cleans the surface of your teeth!
- Try running a humidifier inside your house. This is especially helpful if you live in a dry climate, where the dryness in the air is likely only making your dry mouth problems worse. If you wake up at night thirsty, it’s possible that you’re sleeping with your mouth open. If that’s the case, try running a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep, and be sure to keep a glass of water by your bedside.
- Consider using an over-the-counter artificial saliva product. There are a variety of brands available, most of which come in the form of either a spray or a mouthwash. You don’t need a prescription for these solutions, and although they only work temporarily, they can reduce symptoms of dry mouth – if only for the short term.
If none of these at-home treatments work to alleviate your dry mouth symptoms, talk to your dentist. He or she can recommend other options that will help resolve your dry mouth condition once and for all. Remember that dry mouth can lead to other more serious oral health problems, so don’t delay in giving these treatment options a try and/or talking to your dentist.