Dry Mouth Treatments | Dry Mouth Relief

Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva (spit) to keep your mouth wet. The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, if they are nervous, upset, under stress.

Dry mouth is a painful condition caused by a decrease in the amount of saliva in the mouth when salivary glands do not work properly. Saliva is a natural defense for teeth and plays a major role in preventing tooth decay by rinsing away food particles and neutralizing harmful acids.
If you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems.If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or doctor, there are things you can do to get relief.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
• A dry feeling in the throat
• Cracked lips
• A dry, tough tongue
• Mouth sores

Causes of Dry Mouth:
 
Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery. Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.

Dry Mouth Remedies:

• Chew on sugar free gum or suck on hard, sugar free candy to stimulate the salivary glands to produce saliva.
• Drink plenty of water and sugarless drinks. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, which can dry out the mouth.
• Avoid salty and spicy food as they can irritate the mouth.
• Veer away from alcohol and tobacco.
• Make use of a humidifier or room moisturizer at night to moisturize the air in the room.
• To help you lubricate your mouth, consult your dentist for artificial saliva substitutes.