Most of us are quite familiar with dry mouth syndrome. Dry mouth occurs when your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva, which aids in the digestive process, and prevents harmful bacteria from forming. The medical term for the condition is xerostomia. However, it is not a disease.
Dry mouth can result from a wide variety of causes, which includes; infections, adverse reactions to medications and smoking. You can prevent it from occurring by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are the most common causes and symptoms attributed to the condition: What Causes Dry Mouth: - Side effect of certain medications
- Side effect of certain medical treatments
- Side effect of certain diseases and infections
- Smoking
- Dehydration
- Nerve damage
- Surgical removal of the salivary glands
Symptoms of Dry Mouth: - Sores in the mouth
- Dehydration
- Cracked lips
- A dry feeling in the mouth (cotton mouth)
- Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat
- Dry feeling in the throat or a dry and red tongue
- Difficulty with speech
- Problems chewing, tasting, and swallowing
- A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and tongue
- Bad breath
10 Home Remedies to Treat Dry Mouth: 1) Ginger - Ginger has some amazing properties, that help fight and prevent many medical conditions. The spicy tasting herb helps produce more saliva in the mouth while fighting off bacteria and infections. Remedy: - Chew a small piece of fresh ginger slowly for several times a day.
- Drink a cup of green tea with ginger and a teaspoon of honey to increase the flavor and to keep your salivary glands functioning properly.
2) Stay Hydrated - Dehydration is one of the most common causes of cotton mouth, which is why it is so important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Avoid sugary soft drinks, as they are a major contributor to dehydration and can also rot your teeth. Remedy: - Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, especially with each meal to promote healthy digestion.
- You can also suck on small pieces of ice and roll it around your tongue.
- Snack on frozen chunks of water-based fruits and vegetables to absorb the natural juices. Citrus fruits are the best.
- You can blend a combination of fruits or vegetables together for a delicious smoothie.
- You can drink up to two glasses of coconut water each day.
- Have a cup of green tea or herbal tea each day.
- Consume hot liquid foods like stews and soups.
3) Aloe Vera - Aloe vera treats the sensitive tissues inside your mouth, keeping your lips and tongue moisturized. Remedy: - Drink ¼ cup of aloe vera juice twice a day or rinse your mouth with aloe vera juice on a daily basis.
- You can also apply pure aloe vera gel around your mouth using a cotton swab.
- Leave the gel on for a few minutes, and then rinse your mouth out with cold water. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day.
4) Lemon Juice - The tangy sour taste of lemon juice increases the production of saliva, while keeping your breath smelling fresh and clean. Lemons are high sources of Vitamin C and protect you from catching a cold. Remedy: - Squeeze out half a lemon and add the juice with a tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm water to stay hydrated during the day.
- You can make sugar-free homemade lemonade as an alternative solution.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt onto a lemon wedge, and rub it against your tongue to fight off dehydration.
5) Slippery Elm - Slippery elm becomes a gel-like substance when mixed together with water. It's used to treat cold sores and even soothes a sore throat. The chemicals of the elm also cause mucous secretion. Remedy: - Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of slippery elm into a cup of hot water.
- Cover the gel and allow it to steep for 10 minutes, before straining. You can add a bit of honey to give it some taste. Drink the slippery elm tea twice a day.
- Alternatively, you may prepare a paste with some slippery elm bark powder and a bit of hot water.
- Apply the paste solution inside your mouth for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, and repeat the process as needed.
6) Oil Pulling - Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic medicine practice that dates back over 3,000 years. This natural remedy has many benefits for treating dry mouth, and for promoting good oral hygiene. Remedy: - Place 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth, and swish the oil around thoroughly for about 15 minutes.
- Spit it out and rinse with warm water.
- Brush your teeth as usual and repeat on a daily basis.
7) Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne pepper can help cure nasal congestion problems and dry mouth as well.. The sharp tasting cayenne pepper stimulates the production of saliva and kills off bacteria. Remedy: - Place a tiny amount of ground cayenne pepper to a wet finger, and slowly rub it all around your tongue. You may experience an uncomfortable burning sensation for a little while, but it will help get rid of the dry mouth.
- Add a dash of cayenne pepper powder to your soups, salads, and other dishes.
- You can also take capsules as a substitute, but make sure you consult your doctor beforehand.
8) Cardamom - Cardamom acts as a natural treatment for oral ulcers, infections, and various digestive issues. You can chew on it to fight bad breath and even help relieve flu symptoms. Remedy: - Chew on a handful of cardamom after each meal or whenever your mouth becomes dry.
- You can mix a teaspoon of cardamom powder to a glass of hot water if you prefer not to chew it raw. Allow the cardamom to steep for 10 minutes before drinking.
- Have a glass first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.
- You can rinse your mouth with lukewarm cardamom tea twice a day as another option.
9) Grapeseed Oil - Grapeseed oil contains a very high content of Vitamin E, which is used to moisten your mouth and heal cold sores. You can also snack on grapes to absorb their high water content, ideal for preventing dry mouth symptoms. Remedy: - Gently rub a little grapeseed oil on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks using your fingers.
- Allow the grapeseed oil to work its magic overnight..
- Rinse your mouth out with warm water the following morning, and then brush your teeth directly after to get the taste out.
- Repeat process every night before going to bed.
10) Fennel Seeds - Fennel seeds are a yellow colored spice that promotes fresh breath and eliminates dehydration symptoms. Fennel seeds contain flavonoids, which quench the dry thirst in your mouth. Remedy: - Grab a handful of fennel seeds and eat them several times a day to prevent dry mouth.
- Try mixing equal amounts of fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds together, which also helps to lower bad cholesterol levels.
- Dry roast the fennel and fenugreek seeds in a pan.
- Eat 1/2 teaspoon of this healthy combination after each meal.
A Few Extra Preventative Measures Against Dry Mouth; - Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, since it minimizes the production of saliva in the mouth.
- Take hot showers and breathe the steam in for a few minutes to keep your nasal passageway fully moisturized.
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer when you sleep.
- Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
- Chew a few sticks of sugar-free gum or suck on a few sugar-free candies throughout the day.
- Try to avoid taking medicines that are diuretics, decongestants, and antihistamines.
- Gargle with warm salt water 3 or 4 times a day.
- Use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride to keep your tongue clean.
- Drink plenty of water with each meal and make sure you chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
- Try to limit your intake of spicy foods, since they can cause irritation on the inside of the mouth.
- Choose fresh fruits as snacks instead of junk food to stimulate the saliva glands.
- Avoid sugary sodas and drink water instead.
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