Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia or hypo salivation, is a common health condition where the salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva for oral hygiene. Personally, I have experienced dry mouth many times, especially at night. Waking up in the middle of the night with a chronic feeling of dryness in the mouth is quite common. Using mouthwashes or sipping water can help alleviate this issue.
This health condition can cause you so many discomforts, it can put you at risk of developing numerous dental issues such as : tooth decay, gum disease, teeth sensitivity and many others. Older adults and people that takes multiple medications are at high risk of having dry mouth. However, medications and aging are not the only causes of this health problem. There are other underlying factors that that can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can be as a result of nutritional deficiencies, stress, cancer treatment, and even some systemic diseases. (1)
In this article, I am going to reveal some real effective home remedies for xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Most of the remedies I will list here might not provide a permanent cure for oral health issues related to dryness. Dry mouth is usually caused by salivary gland dysfunction. These remedies can help to clear out those things that are interfering with the functioning of these glands. They might only help to relieve the symptoms, so you may need to see your doctor for proper evaluation and treatments. Using mouthwash can also be beneficial in alleviating dryness.
Home Remedies For Dry mouth
1. Drink more water
Dehydration is the most common cause of dry mouth and oral health issues. You will need to increase your fluids intake, as dehydration shows that you are not getting enough fluids. Studies have shown that taking more water and staying hydrated can help relieve dry mouth and prevent throat problems. It helps your body to produce more saliva, promoting saliva production to prevent dry mouth. It’s advised that men should drink 3 liters while women should drink 2.2 liters of water per day to combat these oral health issues. Additionally, using appropriate oral health products can also help alleviate dry mouth symptoms caused by medication.
You might be thinking that consuming the recommended amount of water per day is too much. But if you frequently drink more water, you can achieve this each day. One more thing to note is that drinking more water can help clean away harmful bacteria from your teeth and mouth until your saliva flow returns back to normal. This can be especially beneficial when combined with products that contain sugar, glycerin, and ginseng.
2. Green tea
You should avoid taking much of alcohol, caffeine, and sodas as they tend to increase the risk of dry mouth. (2) Instead you should look for alternatives, luckily green tea can serve as a great alternative. The reason why I recommended taking green tea is because. Green tea has strong antioxidants and antibacterial properties that can prevent the formation of cavities in your mouth. It also contains chemical compounds that can stimulate and promote the flow of saliva.
3. Aloe Vera
The top aloe vera juice or gel has been around for many years now. It’s widely used all around the world for preparation of different tradition medicines. It’s popularly used in the beauty world for skin care and protection. It’s also beneficial for treating oral problems with saliva substitutes. When the aloe vera gel is applied to the mouth, it provides nice moisturizing effects.
The aloe gel has certain properties that can trigger the top functioning of the salivary glands. It promotes healthy production of saliva and also moisturizes the mouth. The aloe vera plant is very easy to find, well I can’t speak for everyone, but where I stay almost everyone has the top plant at home. You can get a leaf of the aloe vera plant and extract the top juice. You should consume the aloe juice for at least twice a day for fast results. Alternatively, you can buy the top aloe vera gel and apply it to your mouth for about 3 times each day.
4. Ginger
In a 2015 study , it was shown that ginger can stimulate saliva production, making it effective for fighting dry mouth. Drinking a cup of ginger tea daily is a good effective home remedy for dry mouth. It keeps your mouth moisturized and fresh for longer periods. There are lots of brands of ginger tea available in the market today. If you can’t afford one right now, then here is what you need to do.
To keep your mouth moist, try this simple remedy using fresh ginger. Chop the ginger into small pieces and put them in a pot with a glass of water. Boil the water for a few minutes to make ginger tea. Alternatively, you can chew freshly chopped ginger daily. Both options effectively relieve dry mouth symptoms.
5. Fennel seeds
The fennel seeds is a great home remedy for dry mouth and bad breath. It contains an essential ingredient that has strong effects in stimulating saliva production. Due to its aromatic nature, it helps to keep away bad breath, enhancing mouth freshness over a long period of time. Thanks to flavonoids that is being contained in fennel seeds. Flavonoids plays a significant role in stimulating the production of saliva and also in maintaining a healthy mouth. All you need to do is to get the fennel seeds and chew them as often as necessary daily.
6. Oil pulling
This is a traditional remedy that involves the use coconut oil, sesame oil and vegetable oil. It’s highly beneficial for your oral health as it can treat numerous oral problems. It’s great for preventing dry mouth, bad breath and oral infections. The oils used in oil pulling acts as natural moisturizers and can be helpful in treating dry mouth and its symptoms.
Coconut and olive oils are good for oil pulling, they have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can keep your mouth moisturized all day. Apart from this, they also helps to soften and clear away plaque from the teeth, preventing bacteria buildups. There is no much work here, the only thing that is required of you is to measure out your oil with a teaspoon.
Then swish the oil in your mouth for about 10 – 20 minutes. Spit out after, don’t swallow! After this rinse your mouth with clean water and brush your teeth as usual. You can also try out fish oil and essential oil. But remember, if you must go for essential oils don’t forget to use them along with their carrier oil. You can check out this article I wrote earlier, to learn more about carrier oil for essential oils.
7. Cayenne pepper
Studies have proved that cayenne pepper can actually stimulate saliva production. It’s considered as one of the most common best home remedies for dry mouth. The pepper is widely used, and is quite popular for its digestive and detoxifying properties. When it comes in contact with your tongue, it can enhance your ability to distinguish between sour, sweet, bitter and salty flavors. A pinch of ground cayenne pepper can do the work.
You should get some ground cayenne pepper, take a pinch of the pepper with your wet finger and rub it all over your tongue. Normally, you will experience sharp burning sensation on your tongue for some time. This might seem to be pointless, but trust me, it’s very effective in treating dry mouth.
Other treatment for dry mouth
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Use a Humidifier : using a humidifier to add more moisture to the air around your environment can be helpful in treating dry mouth. (3)
Constant breathing in of dry air can contribute greatly to dry mouth over time. If you usually experience dry mouth at night, with the help of a humidifier, you can cut down your symptoms when you’re asleep. Well, you can’t just place humidifiers every where in your house. But if you have the resources that would be good. Instead, place your humidifier in rooms where you usually spend a lot of time in. Places like your bedroom or office is usually recommended.
Final Thoughts
Having dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable, it comes along with certain health conditions and discomforts. The remedies I mentioned in this article can help to relieve most of the symptoms. You might need to get help from your dentist if you’ve tried so many remedies but they don’t work. Certain medications can cause dry mouth, so if you think that your problem is from there don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.