Best Drinks For Dry Mouth

Updated on December 18th, 2019
best drink for dry mouth

Did You Know?

Everyone gets dry mouth at some point in life. It can get triggered by anxiety, stress, and anger.

Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia or Hyposalivation, is a condition that occurs due to a lack of normal flow of saliva in the mouth. This condition is normally reported amongst the senior age group as a result of the systemic disease that they are reported to suffer and the medications they take to keep these diseases under control. To get rid of it, try out the best drink for dry mouth.

There are over 500 such medications that cause dry mouth that occurs as a side effect. When the elderly take multiple medications, the chances of dry mouth increase, also causing irritation and discomfort.

Dry mouth is also caused due to low fluid intake, dry hot weather, sleeping with mouth open, or even eating dry foods. These lifestyle issues can aggravate the issue to quite an extent. However, it can also result from a more serious immune system disorder known as Sjogren’s syndrome which is characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth.

Whatever be the cause of dry mouth, it is important to treat it at the right time to avoid further serious problems relating to the oral cavity. The best way to treat dry mouth issue is by switching to home remedies for dry mouth.

Dry mouth may be due to a serious health condition like lupus, diabetes or even HIV

Best Drinks For Dry Mouth

When considering the best drink for dry mouth(1), home remedies for dry mouth work out to be most effective and relieving. Natural homemade solutions are safe and do not cause any side effects. Also, it does not add to your list of oral medicine intake. Here are some of the most tried and tested remedies for treating the problem of dry mouth.

1. Drink Water

drinking water pasting
Image:ShutterStock

Dehydration is a major cause of dry mouth and hence sipping water at regular intervals can solve the issue to a great extent. Also, sipping water helps cleanse the teeth and tongue of harmful bacteria until the flow of saliva returns back to normal.

One of the best drinks for dry mouth is plain water. It is advisable for men to have 3 liters of water and women to have 2.2 liters of water every day. A minimum of this amount should be consumed irrespective of the gender.

2. Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Certain gums contain Xylitol which helps in the stimulation of the production of saliva in the mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum can ease the problem of dry mouth for the short term. The act of chewing stimulates the flow of saliva in the mouth.

You can chew sugar-free gum anytime when you start having a parched dry feeling in the mouth.

Since these gums are sugar-free, there is no risk of a cavity or any other side effect, especially for sugar patients. These can be consumed as per the requirement and urge of the patient.

3. Gargle

salt water gargle
Image:ShutterStock

Gargling your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash can help reduce dry mouth and even fight against germs without creating an environment they multiply in. Most of these mouthwashes contain xylitol which helps promote saliva(2) production.

Gargling with mouthwash can be done at least twice a day, or even more if the dryness is acute.

Always dilute the mouthwash before using it for gargling. Keep the mixture in the mouth for a few seconds and then spit it out. You can repeat this 2 to 3 times a day.

[Read: Salt Water Gargle For Cough]

4. Lemon

Sugar-free lemon drops for dry mouth is one of the best home remedies for treating dry mouth. Sour lemon is a good source to cure dry mouth, especially after a chemo treatment, as it helps to eradicate the metallic taste from the mouth. Lemon drops help to increase the saliva for the duration and even provide relief from throat pains and nausea.

Keeping a sour lemon drop in your mouth and sucking on its juice slowly helps keep the throat and mouth moist by excreting enough saliva.

Whenever one gets a parched feeling in the mouth, a lemon drop can be tucked in and kept in the mouth till it melts completely all by itself.

Dry mouth can lead to oral health problems like gum diseases and oral infections.

Dry mouth may be caused due to various lifestyle issues. However, if you feel it is severe and natural remedies are not causing any improvement, you should consult a doctor. People with symptoms of other conditions like kidney issues, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, anemia, and even nutrient deficiencies may suffer from dry mouth problems. To find relief from these underlying conditions, it is better to treat them by medically seeking advice from a medical practitioner.

People with dentures may face too much discomfort due to dry mouth as it may cause their dentures to rub against the gums, causing sores.

FAQs

1. What does a dry mouth signify?

A dry mouth indicates that the saliva glands are not producing enough saliva in the mouth, making it dry and parched. This could be due to age-related issues, intake of certain medications or even as a side effect of radiation therapy after cancer. Dry mouth may be caused due to other factors as well such as low intake of fluids, sleeping with your mouth open and so on.

2. Is dry mouth a sign of cancer?

Dry mouth is caused after the radiation therapy in cancer as it tends to damage the salivary glands. It makes the saliva thicker but this is a temporary symptom and it generally goes away when the treatment ends, after about 2 to 8 weeks.

3. Do allergies cause dry mouth?

Yes, allergies can cause dry mouth. This can happen in two ways. One, when your nose is stuffy, you tend to breathe through your nose. Two, dry mouth is a side effect for many antihistamines. These conditions may even lead to causing cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath.

Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are oral irritants that may cause dry mouth.
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