What
Causes Dry Mouth?
- Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common
side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including
drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies,
and colds(antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy,hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic
disorders,urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators),
and Parkinson’s disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle
relaxants and sedatives.
- Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can
be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome,
HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic
fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's
disease, stroke, and mumps.
- Side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the
salivary glands, the glands that make saliva, can reduce the amount of
saliva produced. For example, the damage could stem from radiation to
the head and neck, and chemotherapy treatments, for cancer.
- Nerve damage. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to
the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.
- Dehydration. Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever,
excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss,
and burns can cause dry mouth.
- Surgical removal of the salivary glands.
- Lifestyle. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect
how much saliva you make and aggravate dry mouth. Breathing with your
mouth open a lot can also contribute to the problem.
- A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
- Frequent thirst
- Sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of
the mouth; cracked lips
- A dry feeling in the throat
- A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the
tongue
- A dry, red, raw tongue
- Problems speaking or trouble tasting, chewing, and swallowing
- Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat
- Bad breath
Remedies
for Dry Mouth
1. Increase
Fluid Intake
Dehydration
is one of the most common reasons behind dry mouth. So, the best thing you can
do is increase your fluid intake to keep your body hydrated. Proper
hydration will make it easier for your body to produce more saliva and help get
rid of the symptoms of dry mouth.
- Consume an ample amount of water
throughout the day. If you cannot drink water, suck on small pieces of
ice.
- Eat partly frozen chunks of
water-based fruits and vegetables like pineapple, watermelon and cucumber.
- Drink smoothies, fruit juice or
vegetable juice.
- Drink 1 to 2 glasses of coconut water
daily.
- Drink herbal teas like green tea,
chamomile tea, or others.
- Eat soft and liquid foods like stews
and soups.
Avoid
caffeinated beverages, sodas and alcoholic drinks as they can contribute
to dehydration.
2.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne
pepper stimulates saliva production, making it one of the best remedies for dry
mouth. Also, it will help bolster the taste buds so you can better distinguish
sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavors.
- Press a little bit of ground cayenne
pepper on a wet finger, then rub it around your tongue. This may cause a
burning sensation for some time, but it will stimulate your salivary
glands.
- Also, sprinkle cayenne pepper powder
in your soups, salads and other dishes.
- Alternatively, you can take cayenne
pepper capsules after consulting your doctor.
3. Fennel
Seeds
The
flavonoids in fennel seeds stimulate the flow of saliva and hence help get rid
of dry mouth. Plus, their aromatic flavor helps combat bad breath that
accompanies dry mouth.
- Munch on fennel seeds several times a
day to treat dry mouth.
- You can also mix together equal
amounts of fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds. Dry roast them in a pan,
grind them thoroughly and add a little salt. Eat 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture
after each meal.
4.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm
contains mucilage. Due to this substance, it becomes a slick gel when mixed
with water. This gel helps coat and soothe the mouth as well as the throat.
Plus, it can effectively relieve many discomforts associated with dry mouth.
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of slippery elm
to a cup of hot water. Cover and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain,
add honey and drink this tea twice daily.
- Another option is to prepare a paste
with some slippery elm bark powder and enough water. Apply it inside the
mouth, leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse your mouth with water.
Do this once or twice daily.
5. Oil
Pulling
Oil pulling,
an ancient Ayurveda practice, helps keep your mouth moist and thus is very
helpful in treating dry mouth. It is also beneficial in maintaining oral
health and eliminating bad breath. Oil pulling can be done with coconut
oil, sesame oil or any other edible vegetable oil.
- Put 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin
coconut oil in your mouth.
- Swish the oil around your mouth
thoroughly for about 15 minutes.
- Spit it out and rinse your mouth with
warm water.
- Brush your teeth as usual.
- Repeat the process daily, in the
morning before eating anything.
Note: Do
not gargle or swallow the oil.
6. Aloe
Vera
An age-old
remedy to treat dry mouth is aloe vera. It also helps protect the sensitive
tissue in the mouth and enhances the taste buds.
- Drink ¼ cup of aloe vera juice daily
to cure dry mouth.
- You can also rinse your mouth with
aloe vera juice a few times a day.
- Alternatively, apply pure aloe vera
gel around your mouth using a cotton swab. Leave it on for several minutes
and then rinse your mouth with cold water. Do this 2 or 3 times a day.
7.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed
oil is another effective remedy to eliminate symptoms of dry mouth. Its
moisturizing property helps coat your mouth and keeps it moist for a reasonable
amount of time. Plus, being high in vitamin E, it will help heal any sores you
may have in your mouth.
- Use your fingers to rub some
grapeseed oil on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks.
- Leave it on overnight.
- The next morning, rinse your mouth
with warm water and then brush your teeth as usual.
- Repeat daily before going to bed.
8. Lemon
Lemon juice
can stimulate saliva production and relieve dry mouth. Plus, its acidic
nature can help cleanse your mouth and eliminate bad breath.
- Add the juice of half a lemon and a
little honey to a glass of water. Sip this water throughout the day to
stay hydrated.
- You can also drink homemade lemonade
to treat dry mouth. Be sure to use lemonade that does not contain sugar.
- Also, sprinkle a little salt on a small piece of lemon. Rub it on your tongue to enhance your taste buds.
REMEMBER
Besides
causing the symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth also raises your risk of gingivitis (gum
disease), tooth decay, and mouth infections, such as thrush. If you
think your dry mouth is caused by certain medication you're taking,
talk to your doctor. The doctor may adjust the dose you're taking or switch you
to a different drug that doesn't cause dry mouth.