Dry mouth can affect both men and women of all ages. The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia and the condition results from decreased flow of saliva. When an individual does not produce enough saliva, the mouth tends to get dry and uncomfortable. Decreased production of saliva can also contribute to tooth decay and mouth infections. Treatments for dry mouth often depend on the cause of the problem, but common solutions do exist.
Lifestyle Changes
Many solutions for dry mouth come with simple lifestyle changes. Drinking water is an obvious way to prevent dry mouth and helps in preventing dehydration, which can cause serious health problems. Avoiding caffeine, tobacco and alcohol is a good idea, because all three have mouth-drying effects. Dr. Dan Peterson of dentalgentlecare.com also recommends chewing fibrous foods such as carrots and celery between meals and chewing sugarless gum to stimulate salivary flow.
Humidifiers
Humidifiers can relieve dry mouth by adding moisture to the air. Most humidifiers add moisture to single rooms, but larger models can add moisture to an entire house. Humidifiers also help to avoid dry, itchy, chapped lips and dry, sore throats. Humidity levels should be ideally be kept between 30 and 50 percent, explains MayoClinic.com. Although humidifiers can be useful, it is important to maintain and clean them properly to prevent mold and bacteria.
Medication
Many medications dry out the mouth and cause problems with the production of saliva. Antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, high blood pressure medications and antidepressants are some of the common culprits. If dryness occurs from medication, a physician can find alternative medications or adjusting dosages to prevent dry mouth.
Some medications also help to relieve dry mouth by stimulating saliva production. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can act as solutions for dry mouth symptoms. Drugs.com notes that pilocarpine is often used to treat dry mouth. The medication affects the nervous system and increases saliva secretion.
