We all experience dry mouth every now and again and know how unpleasant it can be. That sticky, sandy and generally nasty feeling of the mouth and tongue not being nearly as moist as you’d expect them to be. Of course, it’s most common to experience dry mouth in the early morning, in the middle of the night after waking or when you’ve simply not had enough to drink for any given reason. In all such instances, it’s pretty unpleasant and something you’re glad to see the back of.
On the plus side, dry mouth is something that can in most instances be very easily remedied. More often than not, simply drinking a good amount of water, cleaning your teeth or even just getting up and active after sleeping can be enough to get it sorted. The reason being that most cases of dry mouth are temporary in nature and caused by one or more common factors.
But in some instances, a person may find that they are suffering from dry mouth on a regular or prolonged basis. Along with being unpleasant to live with, dry mouth has the potential to be a symptom of an underlying health condition that may warrant medical attention and treatment. It’s very rare for dry mouth to be caused by anything serious, but it’s still worth having things checked out if you are worried. A doctor or dentist can usually tell you pretty quickly what it is that’s causing your dry mouth, in order to advise you on how to address it accordingly.
Why Treating Dry Mouth Is Important
While a dry mouth on its own doesn’t come across as anything hazardous to health, it has the potential to become hazardous if left unaddressed. One of the most immediate risks dry mouth poses is that of developing bad breath – aka halitosis. The reason being that it is the natural moisture in your mouth that keeps it clean and fresh, breaking down food and eliminating the bacteria that cause bad breath. Without sufficient moisture, the mouth is unable to do its job properly.
In addition, moisture in the mouth also plays a key role in looking after your teeth and preventing tooth decay. The drier your mouth is, the higher the likelihood of developing cavities, gum disease and yeast infections. Saliva is your mouth’s number-one defence against germs and bacteria – insufficient moisture in the mouth can lead to a variety of problems.
The Causes of Dry Mouth
In most instances, dry mouth is caused by something unserious and common. For example, if you wake with a dry mouth, it is likely that you are sleeping with your mouth open. If you develop dry mouth during the day, it could be that you are simply not drinking enough. There are also plenty of prescription drugs that can cause dry mouth, along with over-the-counter allergy tablets and various infections.
Interestingly, overuse of certain dental hygiene products can also cause dry mouth. For example, the best mouthwash recommended by dentists may work wonders for your teeth, but its high alcohol content may be doing nothing but dry your mouth out further. Likewise, it could be that you are brushing your teeth too frequently or too aggressively, making it difficult for your mouth’s natural processes to do what they need to do. Switching to the best electric toothbrush of 2016 could certainly help, as could following professional guidelines when it comes to brushing, flossing and so on.
Tips For Relieving Dry Mouth
If it has been determined that your own case of dry mouth is not a symptom of an underlying medical condition, there’s plenty you can do every day to help treat and combat the problem. Even if it requires an on-going process of self-treatment at home, you’ll soon get into the habit of helping your mouth do exactly what it needs to do to remain in tip-top health.
Here’s a quick rundown of a few simple tips for relieving dry mouth at home:
- Hydration. First of all, the overwhelming majority of cases of dry mouth are caused by nothing more than the person in question not drinking enough fluids every day. Research shows that less than half of all adults consume the recommended 2 to 2.5-litres of water every day, which are essential for assisting every key bodily process from top to bottom. If you are not drinking enough, one of the first tell-tale signs is a dry mouth. Drink water slowly and steadily all day, rather than going thirsty for hours before downing a litre of water in one go.
- Gum or Mints. Stock up on sugar-free mints or chewing gum, which stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. No matter how dry and sticky your mouth feels, popping in just a single mint will normally result in a torrent of saliva being produced and working wonders for your teeth, gums, mouth and tongue. If this doesn’t happen, you may have a problem with your saliva glands that warrants medical attention.
- Avoid Coffee and Alcohol. Both coffee and alcohol are to be avoided at all costs if you are looking to successfully treat your dry mouth. The reason being that while they may quench your thirst at the time, they can actually leave you more dehydrated (and dry) than you were before you consumed them. This is especially true when it comes to consumption during the evening, prior to going to bed.
- Mouthwash. The same also goes for mouthwash that contains alcohol. While a harsh mouthwash may leave your mouth feeling immaculately clean, it may also strip your mouth of the precious moisture it needs to do its job properly. Ask for advice on the very best mouthwash without alcohol you can pick up.
- Quit Smoking. A quick point but an important point nonetheless, anything you smoke will not only strip your mouth of moisture at the time you smoke it, but perhaps also do irreparable damage to the way it works. Suffice to say, it simply isn’t worth it.
- Use a Humidifier. Last but not least, it could be that the air around the home is so dry that it is having a negative impact on the moisture within your mouth. If you suspect this is the case, consider investing in a humidifier to add a little extra moisture to the air – and your mouth.
