7 tips for managing a dry mouth

Saliva. It’s kind of icky, but believe it or not, it’s pretty amazing stuff.  It breaks down food so you can digest it properly, helps you chew and swallow, contains antibacterial properties, keeps your mouth clean, and protects your teeth from decay and gum disease.

We all experience a dry mouth at some point, like when you’re nervous about a job interview, or have fallen asleep with your mouth open, but a quick drink of water usually solves the problem. 

However, for some of us, a dry mouth is a constant problem that can cause a lot of discomfort and oral health issues. 

Signs of dry mouth include:

·         a feeling of dryness or stickiness

·         stringy or foamy saliva

·         difficulty chewing or swallowing

·         a painful tongue/mouth

·         high rate of tooth decay and/or gum disease

Dry mouth (or xerostomia in medical lingo) can be caused by many things from dehydration, anxiety, certain medications, cancer treatments, or other health conditions including diabetes (link to diabetes blog).

So, what can we do about it? Here are 7 tips to keep on top of it.

1.  Stay hydrated – sipping water throughout the day will help prevent dehydration and ease the dryness in your mouth

2.  Chew sugar-free gum – gum containing xylitol helps protect teeth from decay as well as stimulating saliva flow

3. Try a mouthwash designed for dry mouth – Check out Biotene, they offer a range of products to help relieve dryness

4. Come and see us regularly – if you have a dry mouth you will be at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, so regular check-ups are vital

5.  Avoid tobacco use  - to be honest, there’s nothing positive about smoking. Sorry!

6.  Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake – too much of these can make a dry mouth even drier

7.  Be careful of over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants – they tend to dry the mouth, so chat to your GP for advice on alternatives.