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Home Remedies For Dry Mouth

Dry mouth

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.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?
  • 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.
  1. Put 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil in your mouth.
  2. Swish the oil around your mouth thoroughly for about 15 minutes.
  3. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
  4. Brush your teeth as usual.
  5. 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.
  1. Use your fingers to rub some grapeseed oil on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks.
  2. Leave it on overnight.
  3. The next morning, rinse your mouth with warm water and then brush your teeth as usual.
  4. 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.