Have you ever noticed a dry, sticky, or tacky sensation within your mouth? Dry mouth refers to a common condition in which your mouth produces less saliva, leaving you with a dry, uncomfortable oral environment.
While dry mouth may feel unpleasant, you should also know that it can endanger your oral health too. Oral bacteria can spread with greater ease when your mouth is dry, meaning you could face a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and more.
Chronic dry mouth may develop due to an underlying health issue. But for most mild cases, you can get rid of the condition yourself without further intervention from your dentist. Read on to find advice from your dentist that can help you manage and eradicate dry mouth on your own.
Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most common reasons your mouth will produce less saliva is dehydration. If your body does not have enough water, it will retain moisture, and you will be left with dry mouth.
Drinking a glass of water will treat acute dry mouth because it introduces moisture directly to the oral environment. If you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can prevent dry mouth in the first place.
The average person should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day in order to maintain adequate hydration levels. If you consume dehydrating agents like caffeine or alcohol, you will need to compensate by drinking more water.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you notice that you have dry mouth, you can stimulate saliva production through the act of chewing. However, you might not want to eat outside of your usual mealtimes if you do not feel hungry. Fortunately, you can chew and encourage saliva production without disrupting your diet thanks to gum.
When choosing a chewing gum product, look for one that does not contain added sugar. Sugar famously hurts your dental structure. Chew sugar-free gum so that you can fight dry mouth without putting your smile at risk of cavities.
Evaluate Environmental Conditions
If your mouth feels dry and you cannot pinpoint the cause, your environment might be the culprit. You should consider your surroundings if you get dry mouth, especially if you notice the symptoms happening in the same location.
Winter can bring dry weather, and if the air is dry in a certain room of the house, it can dry out your mouth as well. You cannot always avoid these spaces in your home, especially if you sleep there.
You might want to try a humidifier, a device that adds moisture to the air. When the air is less dry, you can then reduce your risk of dry mouth. If this does not work, you may want to talk to your dentist.
Certain medical problems may contribute to dry mouth. Your dentist can help you counteract this side effect. Do not ignore dry mouth because the condition can lead to harmful effects in your smile.