Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a common side effect of many medications including antihistamines, some antidepressants and drugs used to treat epilepsy, nausea, asthma and acne. Without treatment, dry mouth can lead to sores in the mouth, cracked lips, a sore throat and tongue, bad breath and dental problems. Fortunately, a number of effective remedies exist for moisturizing the mouth to prevent these complications and ease your discomfort.
Step 1
Chew gum or suck on hard candy to increase saliva flow inside your mouth. Choose sugar-free gum and candy to protect your teeth from cavities, and brush and floss every day to maintain your dental health.
Step 2
Sip on water throughout the day to keep your mouth moisturized. This is especially beneficial in hot weather or if you tend to breathe through your mouth, a habit that contributes to dry mouth. However, The American Academy of Oral Medicine warns that sipping water excessively can actually worsen symptoms by reducing the oral mucus film that naturally lines your mouth.
Step 3
Run a humidifier inside your home to add moisture to your environment. Place the humidifier in your bedroom at night if you sleep with your mouth open.
Step 4
Use an artificial saliva solution to counteract the reduced salivary function caused by the medication. These saliva substitutes are available over the counter and are useful alternatives to drinking water at bedtime if you want to prevent waking to urinate. Saliva substitutes come in liquid, spray and gel form.
Step 5
Try a prescription medication to treat your dry mouth if other options have failed to relieve your symptoms. Pilocarpine and cevimeline are both approved for the treatment of dry mouth. Speak with your doctor about the benefits of using these medications. Dr. Dan Peterson of Family Gentle Dental Care reports that pilocarpine improves saliva flow within 20 minutes and the effects last for up to five hours.
Tips and Warnings
- Limit your intake of caffeine if you suffer from dry mouth. Caffeine acts as a diuretic and can worsen symptoms. Smoking also contributes to dry mouth.
Things You'll Need
- Sugarless gum
- Sugarless candy
- Humidifier
- Saliva substitute
