5 Tips for Managing Your Dry Mouth at Home
Dry mouth can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be related to various diseases, natural changes that the body goes through (such as menopause), side effects of some prescription medications, and even nerve damage. Saliva is necessary to help digest food and keep the mouth clean. It can be very uncomfortable to live without enough saliva and it can be damaging to your teeth. Whatever your reason for your dry mouth, these tips may help you to treat the issue without medication.
Chew Gum
When you eat, the act of chewing stimulates saliva glands. However, you don't want to be eating all day. Instead, opt for sugar-free chewing gum. Your body doesn't know that it isn't eating food, so the chewing gum still prompts your glands to produce more saliva.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Dentist Away
Getting a good amount of fibre is healthy for your body and can be useful for your teeth. It's not just apples that help. Crunchy, fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and celery can be beneficial to helping clear plaque and bacteria from the teeth.
Create Mouth Moisture
While water can't replace saliva as it lacks the health components, it can make your mouth more comfortable. If you feel like you've drunk enough water for the day, just rinse your mouth regularly to help keep it moist. If you're uncertain about the quality of your water, you can try a saliva substitute to help manage your symptoms. These are usually made up of a combination of glycerine and water.
Get Hardcore with Your Dental Hygiene
When you don't have enough saliva to cleanse your mouth, you need to be thorough when it comes to your dental hygiene, and vigilant about spotting problems. In addition to brushing, you should ensure that you floss properly to remove hidden plaque. Your hygienist can guide you on how to do this correctly. Mouthwashes should also be added to your dental hygiene routine. Alcohol-based mouthwashes do well to kill bacteria but can be drying; luckily, there are some low-alcohol mouthwashes that can work well without this side effect.
Don't Forget the Dentist
It's essential to be aware of the greater risks posed to your teeth and gums as a result of dry mouth. While there are many ways to treat your dry mouth problems at home, it is still important to make regular trips to your dentist and raise any problems as soon as they arise. You should also have a regular professional clean at least twice a year, or as often as your hygienist suggests.