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Dry Mouth Remedies

waking up with dry mouth?
(16 Jun 2009)

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Saliva is not only needed to keep your mouth moist, but also to cleanse it and for the digestion of food. Saliva presence helps to control and restrict bacterial or fungal growth in the mouth. Dry mouth, medically referred to as xerostomia, is a condition in which the production of saliva is inhibited, resulting in dryness and discomfort.

It’s also known by various other names like cottonmouth, or doughmouth, and pasties. This condition is not uncommon, particularly among smokers, and there are many natural methods that you can use to cure it.

Dry mouth can be a lot more problematic than most people think because it does cause difficulties in both eating and talking.

Saliva normally offers dental and oral protection as it has the effect of remineralizing the enamel of your teeth. The decrease in saliva results in weakened protection can lead to halitosis and an increase in cavities as the mucosa and periodontal tissue become very susceptible to infections.

Before latching on to any treatment regimen it is important that you identify the cause of the problem, as many of the possible causes may be correctible. Dry mouth may also be caused as a result of another condition such as Sjögren's syndrome, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or even diabetes, if not controlled adequately. Other possible causes include factors like anxiety, dehydration due to poor fluid intake, breathing through the mouth excessively, intake of alcoholic beverages, certain medications, damage to the salivary glands due to trauma, radiation therapy, or simply as a natural result of aging.

If you find that any of the above mentioned causes apply to you then you can begin my eliminating those factors and watching for any observable results. There are however many instances where treatment may not cure the condition itself and in such circumstances it is best to follow treatment that focuses on relieving the symptoms and minimizing or preventing the risk of cavities and tooth decay. Here are certain points you need to keep in mind:

Try to avoid using any decongestants and antihistamines.

Oral hygiene is of the utmost importance, so make it a point to follow oral hygiene practices religiously.

One practice that can help is to sip on sugarless fluids frequently.

Use a fluoride rinse to cleanse the teeth or use fluoride toothpaste.

Excessively dry environments as in artificially cooled or heated homes, can also contribute to and worsen the problem, so try and use a humidifier.

Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum

Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist

Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your dentist regularly

Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible

Using a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air

Using an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.

answered by S D on 16 Jun 2009, 4:42:03

Dry Mouth Remedies

waking up with dry mouth? (16 Jun 2009)

waking up with dry mouth?
(16 Jun 2009)