How can I moisturize my teeth?

When your mouth feels as dry as a desert, it makes talking and eating much more difficult than it should be. But beyond discomfort, dry mouth hinders your mouth’s ability to properly clean itself, AKA, produce saliva, which is a crucial part of peak oral health.

Think of your saliva as your mouth’s janitor – when the janitor’s not doing his job, things get messy and eventually break down. So, when our mouth’s janitor is “out,” i.e., when our mouths are left dry for an extended period of time, it can cause:

• An increase in plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease

• Mouth sores

• Oral yeast infection, or thrush

• Sores or cracked skin in or around your lips

This is why it’s so important to pay attention if your mouth seems to be perpetually dry, and to take steps to fix the problem. In most cases, dry mouth is easily alleviated by DIY remedies, or by simple, over-the-counter medicine. Before we cover these remedies, let’s take a look at what causes dry mouth.

The causes of dry mouth

Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth occurs when our saliva glands stop producing enough saliva. Xerostomia is typically easily relieved, however, dry mouth can sometimes be more difficult to deal with, and could require a consultation with a doctor.

The most common causes of dry mouth include:

• Using tobacco products – Both smoking and chewing tobacco can cause dehydration which can aggravate dry mouth. So, if you suffer from xerostomia and use tobacco products, add it to the list of reasons you should quit!

• Dehydration – If your body isn’t hydrated, it can’t send the requisite amount of fluids to your saliva glands, which in turn, can cause dry mouth.

• Medications or medical treatments – Some medications, or medical treatments (such as chemotherapy) cause dry mouth as a side effect. If you are experiencing xerostomia and you suspect your medication is causing it, consult with your doctor about it.

• Adverse health conditions – Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and mumps can cause dry mouth. Furthermore, head or neck injuries can damage nerves, which can cause also cause xerostomia. If your dry mouth is accompanied by other symptoms, or you notice it after an accident, consult with your physician.

How to treat and prevent dry mouth (xerostomia)

For most people who deal with dry mouth, a simple at-home remedy will help to replenish the fluids in their mouths until their saliva glands start working normally again.

To moisten your mouth, try these tips:

• Drink more water – Staying properly hydrated will give your body more fluids to work with and be able to send to your salivary glands. Aim for at least 8, 8oz glasses of water per day.

• Chew sugarless gum/suck on sugarless candies – By chewing on gum or sucking on candy you will stimulate those stubborn saliva glands to start producing fluid again. However, you should avoid gum or candies with sugar, as sugar can cause dehydration, and of course, cavities. Search for gum or candies with xylitol, which further help to stimulate saliva glands.

• Breath through your nose (aka - don’t be a mouth-breather ;) ) – Excess breathing through the mouth can result in the evaporation of your saliva, aggravating dry mouth. Focus on keeping your nasal passages clear, and breathe in and out through your nose to keep that mouth moist.

• Invest in a humidifier – Adding humidity into the air while you sleep can help your body maintain proper hydration, which will also help to increase saliva production.

• Understand the side-effects of medication you take – If you start to notice dry mouth when you start on a new medication, consult with your doctor to explore your options.

• Use herbal remedies – Often, a simple herbal remedy can encourage your saliva glands to start flowing again. Try using the below remedies to treat your dry mouth:

  • Aloe Vera – We often associate aloe vera with dermal treatments, but the juice inside an aloe vera plant is great for moisturizing the mouth, too. Aloe vera juices are widely available, and can alleviate dry mouth.

  • Ginger – Ginger is a sialogue, which means it helps stimulate saliva production. Try a ginger chew, or ginger tea to get those saliva glands working again.

  • Hollyhock root – Similar to aloe vera, hollyhock can help moisturize your mouth. Try a hollyhock tea when your mouth is getting dry to hydrate and moisturize your mouth.

  • Marshmallow root – No, you can’t stuff marshmallows in your mouth to treat dry mouth, but marshmallow root can help by moisturizing your mouth, much like hollyhock or aloe vera. Try a marshmallow root tea for a double-dose of mouth-moisturizing relief.

  • Nopal cactus – Nopal cactus or prickly pear cactus can help improve dry mouth. If you can’t find the fruit itself at a local health food store, try taking Nopal capsules.

  • Spilanthes – Another sialogue, spilanthes is a popular herb used for improving dental health and may help treat dry mouth. Spilanthes drops also work well to help relieve that dry mouth.

  • Sweet pepper – Sweet peppers promote increased salivation, helping to alleviate dry mouth. Add sweet pepper to your supper, or eat one raw for a great mid-afternoon snack.

If you try the above remedies and still suffer from dry mouth, try over-the-counter saliva substitutes, or, talk to your pharmacist or dentist to see which one is right for you.

The next step to alleviating dry mouth

Though most dry mouth cases can be treated with simple remedies, it can also indicate a larger problem. If your dry mouth persists despite these remedies, or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

If you’re worried that chronic dry mouth has affected your oral health, contact us today to set up an appointment.

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