Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition, often a side effect of certain medications and even medical conditions. Our saliva helps to wash away food debris and reduce plaque and if left untreated, dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Although everyone is different, one or several of the home remedies below may work best in treating your dry mouth symptoms. There are many over-the-counter medications and remedies which may work as well. As in any health situation, it is always beneficial to fix the source of the problem rather than mask it with medication.
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Change your beverage or its temperature
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Fresh aloe vera
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Grapeseed oil
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Stop tobacco use
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Humidifier
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Cayenne pepper
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Fresh lemon juice
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Rosemary rinse
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Ginger
Cut the caffeine.
Caffeine is a chemical which it dehydrates the cells in your body and your mouth. If you have frequent dry mouth symptoms, consider skipping on caffeine for a few days to see if your symptoms are relieved.
Change your cold beverages to warm ones.
Icy beverages can cause blood to leave the surface of your mouth lining, which can lead to dry mouth and even inadequate nutrient absorption.
Sip room temperature water throughout the day to hydrate and nourish the cells in your mouth
Add aloe vera to room-temperature water and mix thoroughly. Rinse your mouth two to three times per day with this mixture to alleviate symptoms.
This is one of the best oils to use because of the high amounts of vitamin E and the cell-replenishing properties that can repair damaged tissue in your mouth. This is done by placing a small dab of the oil directly to your tongue and cheeks. Youβll have better results if you do it before you go to bed and allow it to remain in your mouth all night. Rinse in the morning with water and brush your teeth as you normally would.
Not only does tobacco increase your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, oral cancer but it kills the cells in your mouth and depletes the cell nutrients. Stopping tobacco use is one of the surest ways to end dry mouth symptoms.
This remedy is especially helpful when the air is dry in the winter months. During the night, there is a good chance you sleep with your mouth open at some point. While you cannot change what you do when you sleep at night, you can change the humidity of the air and by adding moisture to it can help with dry mouth symptoms.
One of the most natural of ways is to use a little cayenne pepper with your cooking preparation. The spice in the cayenne pepper will not only stimulate your salivary glands to release saliva in your mouth, but it will help to add some needed warmth in the mouth area as well. This is a perfect combination to help alleviate dry mouth symptoms.
The highly acidic properties of a lemon are known to increase saliva production and the antioxidants in the lemon can even help repair any damaged tissue in your mouth. Just be mindful of how often you use this remedy because the acid in lemons is also very good at dissolving enamel surfaces.
Many types of mouthwash contain alcohol and chemicals that are known to dry the mouth cells. You can make own homemade mouthwash with 1 tsp of rosemary, 1 tsp mint, and 1 tsp aniseed added to 2 cups of boiling water. Steep it just as you would do with tea. Strain the mixture, allow it to cool, and gargle as you normally would 2-3 times a day.
The enzymes and antioxidants in ginger can help nourish your cells and can also stimulate your salivary glands. You can make a ginger tea by adding cut pieces of ginger to a cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for 15-20 minutes.
We hope that by using the simple remedies above you can alleviate the problem of dry mouth and even improve your oral health. If you have frequent dry mouth symptoms make your regular dental checkups a priority, so that Dr. Bertolini can diagnosis, monitor, and treat the problems that may have caused your dry mouth.