Having a dry mouth is more than a minor discomfort--it can affect your enjoyment of food and the health of your teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, having a dry mouth can be dangerous because your saliva helps prevent tooth decay, enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to swallow. The treatment of a dry mouth depends on the cause.
Water
Take small sips of water throughout the day. However, according to dentist Dan Peterson of Family Dental Care, you should not drink excessive amounts of water, or distilled water, since that may cause an electrolyte imbalance. Aim for 8 to 12 glasses of water daily, and avoid soda. Sip often while eating to make chewing and swallowing easier. If you prefer, keep a spray bottle with you and use it to wet your mouth throughout the day.
Sucking Candies
Sugarless hard candies can stimulate saliva production. The best choices are citrus, cinnamon or mint flavored. Or, you can chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free Popsicles.
Oral Hygiene
To prevent dry mouth, brush correctly with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Ask your dentist how to scrape or brush the surface of your tongue and do that every day. Visit your dentist regularly, at least twice a year, to maintain your dental health. Your dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva.
Prescription Medications
In some severe cases, your doctor or dentist may prescribe a medication to help relieve symptoms. Guaifenesin, found in Robitussin and Mucinex, helps the body produce more saliva. Amifostine, which is given by injection, reduces severe dry mouth in patients who have received radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Pilocarpine and Cevimeline are also prescription medications that stimulate production of saliva.
