Xerostomia or dry mouth is a condition where the salivary gland secretion is inadequate and does not sufficiently moisten the mouth. This may cause discomfort, speaking and swallowing problems, and make the person prone to common ailments like oral cavities and gum diseases. Some possible causes of dry mouth include the common use of certain medications, medical issues, and habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
It is also important to prevent and treat dry mouth as this has a ranging impact on the overall health of a person’s oral cavity. Thus, this article offers useful recommendations for avoiding dry mouth conditions and maintaining the health and comfort of the oral cavity.
Stay Hydrated
One way to prevent dry mouth is to drink enough water which has been considered by many as one of the most natural ways of combating the problem. Staying hydrated is important when you are trying to keep your mouth moist to ensure enough saliva is produced throughout the day.
Try drinking at least 250ml of water each time and try to ensure you drink the water eight times a day, or try to carry a water bottle around so that it serves as a reminder to you to take water frequently. To this end, apart from drinking water, getting one’s water intake from foods such as fruits and vegetables can play a role in maintaining levels of hydration.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum or Suck on Sugar-Free Lozenges
Mint-flavored sugar-containing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-containing sugar-free lozenges promotes saliva flow, which helps to combat dry mouth. Most of the cookies with low sugar content have additional sugar in the form of sweeteners like xylitol that facilitate the secretion of saliva in the mouth and hence prevent tooth decay.
Moreover, dentist also advise that you refrain from taking snacks and candies since they can worsen the conditions experienced by dry mouth patients and consequently lead to dental problems.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Some of the ways that one can avoid dry mouth include practicing good oral hygiene, which prevents the occurrence of the condition and its adverse impacts on the whole health of a person. Plan to brush your teeth two times a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste and use Dry Mouth Relief Oral Rinse to avoid making the mouth drier.
Daily floss cleaning makes it easier to clear debris and plaque, thus preventing the development of gum disease as well as cavities. Also, about what causes dry mouth, it is advised that you schedule a dental check-up frequently to check on the health of your teeth and any other factors that may be contributing to dry mouth.
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Compliance with certain oral hygiene practices also affects the extent of dry mouth because substances such as caffeine and alcohol have a dehydrating effect. Avoiding drinks that are caffeinated like coffee, teas, sodas and alcohol which are known to reduce saliva production will assist in maintaining adequate levels of saliva. To overcome the problem of dehydration which is caused by the use of caffeine and alcohol, one should replace such beverages with herbal teas or water.
