Tips and Information

The best cure for dry mouth is to do something right away when you discover the problem. By reading this, you’ve already taken the first step – becoming aware of the issue. Here are some things you can do to help manage dry mouth:

• Drink extra water during the day and with meals. Fluoridated water is best.
• Use an over-the-counter saliva substitute or oral moisturizer.
• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless mints, especially those with the natural sweetener xylitol, which protects teeth from decay.
• Consider using a humidifier at night to add moisture to the air you breathe.
• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and use a fluoride rinse. (Avoid rinses/mouthwashes with alcohol, which can dry out your mouth.)
• Get regular dental checkups and cleanings.
• Alert your doctor if your mouth feels dry. If you suspect that it’s medication-related, don’t stop taking your medication, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away. There may be a different drug you can try.

Be sure to avoid:

• Tobacco products (chewing and smoking). Tobacco dries out the mouth and increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.
• Sugary drinks and foods, including candy and carbonated soda.
• Caffeine and alcohol, which can dry out your mouth.
• Overly spicy or salty foods, which can cause discomfort if you have dry mouth.