Dry Mouth Remedies

Alleviate Symptoms and Enhance Oral Health

DentalXylitol.com's high-quality xylitol products range includes lozenges, toothpaste, chewing gum, and mouthwashes designed to stimulate saliva production and improve oral health. Beyond the basics, we dig into lesser-known aspects of dry mouth and offer expert advice to ensure you receive comprehensive care.

The Importance of Saliva

Humans produce approximately 1 to 1.5 litres of saliva daily, with variations due to age, health, lifestyle, and medication use. Saliva is crucial for:

Oral Hygiene: It cleanses the mouth and throat, preventing microbes from adhering to mucous membranes and possessing antimicrobial properties.
Tooth Health: Continuous rinsing helps prevent tooth decay.
Digestion: Moistens and lubricates food, and contains enzymes that initiate digestion.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Several factors can lead to reduced saliva production, including:

Diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and many autoimmune diseases can cause dry mouth [1][2][3].
Medications: Over 400 medications, such as those for heart and vascular diseases, antihistamines, anticholinergic psychiatric drugs, and chemotherapy, can reduce saliva production [4][5].
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress can worsen dry mouth symptoms.

Home Remedies and Tips for Dry Mouth

While the underlying causes might not always be treatable, several home remedies can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life:

Increase Fluid Intake: Regularly drink water throughout the day, aiming for eight glasses daily (2 – 3 litres). Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages that can worsen dryness [7].
Use Xylitol Products: Xylitol stimulates saliva production and helps prevent tooth decay. These products are an effective remedy in lozenges, chewing gum, and mouthwashes [8].
Use Moisturizing Products: Gels, sprays, and specially formulated toothpaste and lozenges can help keep your mouth moist, especially at night.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes [7]. Quality cleaning of teeth and dentures is important!!
Oil-Water Rinse: Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of water and cooking oil for one minute can moisturize the oral mucosa and leave an oily film on the mouth’s mucous membranes.
Suck on Ice Chips: This can alleviate symptoms and discomfort for some individuals [7].

Additional Tips

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption [6].
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
For chapped lips, use lip balm.
Seek medical advice: If dry mouth symptoms are severe or significantly impact daily life, consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment [7].

Tips for Managing Dry Mouth

Use water as a thirst quencher and to moisten the mouth [7].
Rinse your mouth with water after every meal.
Foods that require chewing stimulate saliva production. Avoid substances that irritate the oral mucosa:

Citrus fruits, acidic berries, tomatoes
Acidic juices
Strong spices
Very cold or hot foods/drinks
Strongly flavored toothpaste and mouthwashes

By incorporating these remedies and tips, you can manage dry mouth effectively and improve your overall oral health. Explore our range of xylitol products designed to offer relief and enhance your well-being.

References

(1) Bilal T and Swarnkar SA (2023). Xerostomia. NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.

(2) Hannuksela-Svahn A (2015). Kuiva suu. The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim.

(3)Meurman JH (2013). Kuivan suun aiheuttajat ja hoito. Sic!, 02-2013.

(4) Tan ECK, Lexomboon D, Sandborgh-Englund G, Haasum Y, Johnell K (2017). Medications That Cause Dry Mouth As an Adverse Effect in Older People: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis. JAGS, 66(1)76-84.

(5) Dry Mouth / Kuiva suu - Hammmaslääkäriliitto - Finnish Dental Association Kuiva suu - Hammmaslääkäriliitto - Finnish Dental Association

(6) Mayo Clinic (2023) Dry mouth - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

(7) American Dental Association (2023) Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) | American Dental Association (ada.org)