Does it hurt when you speak or swallow lately? Maybe you think you’re suffering from a sore throat, but then again, you also feel like the inside of your mouth gets sticky. If you said yes to all of these, then you’re probably suffering from a dry mouth.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is the condition when your body’s not producing enough saliva to maintain salivary flow and moisture inside your mouth. As a result, you could suffer from the aforementioned symptoms and more; some people experience bad breath and have trouble wearing dentures too.
This condition is caused by a variety of factors, including side effects of medicines, aging, dehydration, and even underlying medical conditions. Dry mouth can be treated at home or with the use of over-the-counter medicines, but should symptoms persist, you should head to the nearest doctor or dental office for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Simple home remedies for dry mouth relief
Lucky for you, there is a lot of dry mouth relief at home that you could easily apply without relying on over-the-counter medicine, which includes the following:
Keep yourself hydrated.
One of the easiest ways to dry mouth home care is by drinking water. If not water, you can opt for coconut water since it’s also hydrating and refreshing as it helps regulate saliva production.
Chew gum or suck on sugar-free candy.
Another doable dry mouth remedy is chewing gum or sucking candies; just make sure they’re the sugar-free ones. There’s a lot available on the market, but we highly recommend checking out Xylimelts Australia, where they offer some of the best relief for dry mouth.
Use a humidifier.
Your environment could also contribute to why you’re suffering from a dry mouth. One of the best ways to combat dry mouth at night is to set up a humidifier to add moisture to the air as you sleep.
Cut back on alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Bad news to coffee lovers, but if you’re suffering from dry mouth, then you have to cut back on your caffeine intake since it’s pretty dehydrating. Caffeine, along with alcohol, causes excessive dryness, so at best, you should opt for decaf instead.
Breathe through your nose.
Another effective way to combat dry mouth at home is just by breathing through your nose. There are some people who breathe through their mouths, unaware that it’s causing their dry mouths. So to avoid worsening your condition, try to breathe through your nose.
Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
You might think that gargling mouthwash continuously would get rid of your dry mouth, but before you do, make sure the one you’re using doesn’t have any alcohol in it. Instead, opt for ones that have xylitol in them so they can help with the regular flow of saliva production.
Adjust your diet.
One of the best ways to maintain saliva production in your body is to incorporate hydrating fruits and vegetables such as pineapples, cucumbers, yogurt, and even watermelon into your diet. By eating these, you’re also improving your overall health, and don’t forget to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent dry mouth from happening again.