Dry mouth is known clinically as "xerostomia." This is a condition that takes place when there is a lack of saliva being produced. This can propose a potential problem being that saliva is responsible for cleansing the teeth and mouth of bacteria which can lead to decay. When dry mouth appears, there are several home remedies that can be used to treat it.
Ice
When you are having an episode of dry mouth, crush up some ice cubes into chips and suck on them. They will melt at a slow pace and keep your mouth moist. Also suck on pits from fruits like cherries, peaches and nectarines to stimulate saliva.
Fluids
There are certain beverages that should be avoided when you have dry mouth because they have a high content of phosphoric and citric acid. Examples of these are soft drinks, orange juice and energy drinks. The problem with them is they are high in acid, and when you do not have the saliva to neutralize it, your teeth can suffer decay. Also cut down on the caffeinated beverages, as they can dry your mouth out even more. Sip water all day instead to keep your mouth moist and to continually cleanse your teeth.
Avoidance
Alcohol and tobacco are well known for the negative impact they can have on the lungs and liver. But they can also dry your mouth out and make your condition worse. For that reason, abstain from using either one of them.
Breathe
Breathing is an automatic action that you are always doing while you are alive. But to help reduce your dry mouth, make a conscious effort to breath out of your nose instead of your mouth. Also, use a humidifier in your bedroom to make the air more moist while you are sleeping.
Candy
Under normal circumstances, chewing gum and eating hard candies can cause tooth decay. But when you have dry mouth, they can help stimulate saliva and you should use both of them. Just make sure to use sugar-free varieties.
Soft Foods
According to Nelson Rhodus D.M.D., associate professor of oral medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, "eating any food will stimulate saliva, but the best choices are soft foods and those moistened with sauces or gravies that go down the hatch easily." Prepare your foods this way to avoid making your mouth dryer than it is and to stimulate your saliva.
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