Dry mouth may not usually be a serious oral health concern, but nevertheless, it can be very uncomfortable. Obviously, dehydration is a major cause of this problem, but a number of other things, such as infections and medications, can also leave you with dry mouth. Any treatment or medication that affects the salivary glands may lead to this oral issue.

If not treated, dry mouth or xerostomia can cause various dental health issues including cavities, bad breath, yeast infections, changes in taste, difficulty in swallowing, and denture fitting issues.

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Here are some useful tips for getting rid of dry mouth:

Stay Hydrated – Staying hydrated can help a lot in reducing dry mouth. You should drink eight to 12 glasses of water daily, or sip water throughout the day to minimize the problem of dry mouth. Drinking lots of water can only be beneficial to your health. So, drink as much you can to reduce episodes of dry mouth.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum – Chewing on sugar-free gum can help you to avoid dry mouth. When you chew gum, it helps boost the production of saliva in the mouth. The saliva thus produced is not only good for hydration purposes, but it can also wash away plaque, leftover foods and bacteria, thereby improving your dental health. The same benefits can also be availed of by sucking on sugar-free hard candies.

Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks – If you want to stop having dry mouth, do your best to avoid sugary acidic foods and drinks. If possible, avoid tea, coffee, soda, cola, fruit juices, sports drinks, wine and alcohol as they all have acid and sugar known to cause dry mouth. Also avoid using mouthwashes with a high alcohol content.

Quit Smoking – Tobacco is not only bad for your dental health, but smoking is also notorious for causing dry mouth, and can leave your teeth stained and discolored. Tobacco and smoking can filter in harmful chemicals responsible for disturbing the hydration level of the body. Avoid them if you want better dental health.

Maintain Oral Hygiene – Skipping brushing, flossing or tongue cleaning can bring on many dental health problems, including dry mouth. If possible, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after each meal to avoid plaque and bacteria build-up in mouth. Brush twice a day, once in the morning and then before bed. This will help you stay on top of your oral health.

Use Prescription Medications – Most people are unaware that there are oral care products available for virtually all dental problems, including dry mouth. In fact, there are a variety of products available as prescription medications to act as a saliva substitute by stimulating the salivary glands.  You can use Biotene® products and get rid of dry mouth easily. However, be sure to consult the dentist before trying any such products to confirm whether they are good for you.

Consult the Dentist – If you are suffering persistently from dry mouth, then it’s time to visit a dental clinic or consult a dentist. A dentist can usually tell you what the source of the problem is, and s/he can also recommend the right treatment. You can start off by using natural remedies for healing dry mouth, but if the problem appears to be getting worse, be sure to visit a professional. After all, dentists can be trusted to be of assistance in helping you solve any dental health-related problems you may be facing.

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