If you have ever felt a dry, tacky sensation in your mouth, then you’re familiar with dry mouth. This condition not only feels uncomfortable, but it could pose a threat to your oral health. The dry oral environment allows natural bacteria to spread more easily through your mouth, heightening your risk for oral infections like gum disease. For more information on how we diagnose and treat
You will need intervention from your dentist to eradicate gum disease. So ideally, you should prevent contracting it in the first place. This will mean treating dry mouth quickly before you can suffer an infection.
In many instances, you can find relief from dry mouth on your own. But if dry mouth persists on a chronic basis, you will need to consult your dentist for a solution. Read on to discover three ways that you can address mild cases of dry mouth from your home.
Drink Plenty of Water
Not drinking enough water can lead to dry mouth. If you don’t have enough water in your body, you will produce less saliva, leaving your mouth dry and at risk of dental dangers.
Dentists and health experts agree that you should drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain adequate hydration levels. Constant efforts to drink water can keep you hydrated overall. But sipping water will also treat acute dry mouth by introducing moistness to the dry oral environment.
Drinking water won’t only protect your smile from oral infections. But it will also rinse harmful residues from your teeth to boost oral hygiene. If you drink tap water that contains fluoride, you’re giving your teeth an extra boost of protection. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, making it harder for cavities to form.
If you’re someone who struggles with dry mouth, try carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go. Taking small sips throughout the day can make a big difference. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva production.
And don’t forget, staying hydrated isn’t just good for your mouth. It’s good for your whole body. So, make water your go-to drink, and your body will thank you!
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
You can encourage the production of saliva through the act of chewing. But if your mouth feels dry, you might worry that eating when you don’t feel hungry will disrupt your diet. Fortunately, the act of chewing gum will stimulate saliva production without affecting your diet.
Make sure you choose a sugar-free type of gum for this activity. Regular gum with sugar might taste good, but it can harm your teeth by feeding the bacteria that cause cavities. Sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth while keeping your mouth moist. Some sugar-free gums even contain xylitol, a natural sweetener that can actually help prevent tooth decay.
Chewing gum after meals is a great habit to get into. It helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and keep your breath fresh. Just pop in a piece of sugar-free gum for about 20 minutes after eating, and you’ll give your mouth a quick refresh.
Next time, reach for some sugar-free gum when your mouth feels dry or you want to give your oral health a little boost. It’s an easy, convenient way to keep your smile healthy and your mouth feeling great.
Consider Environmental Risk Factors
Sometimes, the environment around you can play a role in causing dry mouth. If you notice your mouth feels dry more often in certain places, it could be because the air there is too dry. Dry air can suck moisture out of your mouth, leaving you feeling parched and uncomfortable.
If you think dry air might be the problem, try using a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can keep your mouth from drying out. This is especially helpful in places where you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom while you’re sleeping. Running a humidifier at night can help you wake up feeling refreshed instead of dealing with a dry and sticky mouth.
But what if you’ve tried adjusting your environment and you’re still struggling with dry mouth? In that case, it’s time to talk to your dentist. Dry mouth can sometimes be a sign of an underlying issue, like certain medications, health conditions, or even dehydration. Your dentist can help figure out what’s causing your dry mouth and recommend the best way to treat it.
Ignoring dry mouth can lead to bigger problems, like tooth decay, gum disease, or bad breath, so it’s important to address it early. Whether it’s using a humidifier, drinking more water, or getting advice from your dentist, there are plenty of ways to fight dry mouth and keep your smile healthy. Call Dr. Melvin Benson at 941-270-9755 if you have dry mouth and don’t know what to do.