A dry mouth is caused when the salivary glands are not able to produce enough saliva. This may be a result of stress, nervousness, medication or may be associated with certain medical conditions. While it may be slightly irritating for people who experience it occasionally, it is a bothersome condition for people who experience dry mouth chronically.

A dry mouth or a cottony feeling in your mouth may result in bad breath, having trouble swallowing food or speaking. It may also affect the taste of food and lead to a sore throat. Inadequate production of saliva can also put the safety of your teeth and gums due to the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. If you experience these problems, following are some effective ways to get rid of dry mouth.

Drink enough water
Although this one goes without saying, you should make sure that your dry mouth is not a result of dehydration. Make sure to drink adequate water throughout the day.

Sugar-free candies or chewing gum
A temporary measure for relieving the symptoms of dry mouth is chewing gum or sugar-free candies. This will help the production of saliva, but make sure you go for the sugar-free variants to avoid any damage to your teeth.

Pay attention to your caffeine intake
Caffeine can worsen the symptoms of dry mouth by causing further dehydration. Go for the decaf type of beverages to avoid this.

Do not breathe with an open mouth
This is another reason that causes dryness of the mouth. Breathe through your nose and if you have trouble doing so, contact a doctor immediately.

Quit smoking
Cigarettes are known to have a significant effect on saliva production. By quitting smoking altogether, you may get relief from the symptoms of a dry mouth. Limiting alcohol consumption may also help relieve the symptoms of a dry mouth.

Use a humidifier
Breathing in a better quality of air can help prevent your mouth from getting dry. This can especially help you while sleeping and ensure that you do not experience the symptoms of dry mouth.

Stimulate salivary glands
Dry mouth may be a result of inadequate functioning of the salivary glands. This can be improved by using items such as ginger tea that may stimulate the production of saliva from these glands. Over the counter medications prescribed by a doctor can also help improve the condition of your dry mouth.

Other steps that you can take to improve the condition is to make sure you maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss properly to keep your mouth clean. If these remedies do not work for you or you have a persistent condition that has become troublesome,  contact a medical practitioner to find out the best possible treatment. They can help you identify the cause of the problem whether it’s a specific medication that you take or habits like smoking or too much intake of caffeine that is causing the dryness of the mouth.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.