I know you have ended up here to find some effective natural tips to cure your dry mouth however before discussing those tips, we want you to grab every information about “dry mouth” first. So, do you know what dry mouth exactly is? And have you experienced dry mouth, at least for a short while? If yes, then you will know that it can be really uncomfortable!!Dry mouth is basically a condition when the salivary glands in our mouth do not produce enough saliva that results in chronic mouth dry. In simpler words, the salivary glands just fail to function properly at certain circumstances due to various reasons.
You should also know the reasons for this situation! Your salivary glands may not be working properly due to the following reasons:
- Aging
- Depression
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Snoring
- Alcohol
- Smoking
Pregnant women also experience chronic mouth dry due to hormonal alterations. Some other causes of dry mouth are:
- Chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- Radiotherapy
- Nerve damage
- Thick as well as stringy saliva
- Parched feel in the mouth
- Rough tongue
- Bad breath
- Extreme thirst
- Cracked lips
- Difficulty in swallowing, speaking and chewing
- Mouth sores
Tips To Prevent Chronic Dry Mouth
Don’t worry!! Thankfully, this condition can be treated and that too naturally. Yes, you just need to make some lifestyle alterations & use some easy home remedies. Take a look!!
1. Consume a lot of Water
If you experience chronic dry mouth, then make sure that you drink enough water. Consuming water throughout a day will help you to prevent that little dehydration which results in dry mouth.
2. Improve Your Oral Hygiene
Poor oral health is another reason that causes dry mouth. Similarly, a dry mouth can lead to poor oral health as well. Therefore, no matter what is the exact cause of your dry mouth, you should take appropriate steps and follow certain rules to improve your overall oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene consists of brushing & flossing daily and rinsing the mouth using water/mouthwash after every meal to wash away all those food particles. Also, do you use a tongue scraper? If not, you should use one as it will help to reduce bacteria on your tongue. Likewise, adopt some good dental habits to improve your oral health.
3. Mouthwash with Alcohol- A BIG NO
As discussed in the previous point, mouthwash does play a vital role in improving your oral health, however, it is more vital to check the ingredients in your mouthwash. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol that particularly kills bacteria in the first place, but it can also dry out your mouth. Some researchers suggest that betaine & xylitol can effectively help to prevent dry mouth. So, it is time to switch to alcohol-free mouthwashes!!
4. Get Some Sugar-free Lozenges
Sucking on sugar-free lozenges or candies can work wonders!! Yes, they will prevent your mouth to dry out. Want to how? When you suck a candy, it keeps your mouth closed which helps the saliva to circulate. Also, choose a sugar-free variety because a sugary sweet will damage your teeth. Similarly, sugar-free gum also helps to keep saliva rolling and increases saliva production preventing a dry mouth. Chewing gum may sound like a temporary solution, however, it can provide you with quick relief.
5. Make Ginger Your Friend
Ginger tea, sprays, and many such items with ginger can help to stimulate your salivary glands as well as increase your saliva production.
6. Stop Breathing with Mouth Open
Breathing with an open mouth will dry out your airways quickly. If you woke up today with a dry mouth, it is because you may have slept with an open mouth, inhaling dry air. Therefore, try to keep your mouth closed while breathing. This will improve your saliva flow.
Bottom Line
Dry mouth is irritating and can also lead to various other mouth problems if it is left unchecked. And if these tips do not improve your dry mouth, then you should consider consulting a doctor or dentist.
Also Read: 7 Best Mouth Washes