Dryness in the mouth is a common problem that many people face. Medically, it is called xerostomia, which might occur when there’s a change in the composition of saliva, or due to a reduction of saliva formation in the mouth. Saliva becomes less in your mouth, causing it to become dry and sticky. Associated problems like dry throat, dry tongue, bad breath, tingly feeling in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and unquenchable thirst are not far behind.
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Causes of dry mouth
The most common causes of dry mouth include:
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Snoring
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Aging
- Pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers
- Certain medications used to treat neuropathy, depression, and anxiety
- Medications classified as antihistamines, muscle relaxants, pain medications, and decongestants
- Cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Nerve damage
- Autoimmune diseases
Symptoms of dry mouth
These are all the symptoms of a dry mouth that you need to keep an eye out for:
- Bad breath
- Thick/stringy saliva
- Rough tongue
- Unquenchable thirst
- Loss of taste
- Cracked lips
- Mouth sores
- Trouble speaking, chewing, swallowing
Home remedies for dry mouth
A dry mouth can be extremely irritating, and a sticky one at that can be extremely unpleasant. However, this condition can be easily treated with certain lifestyle changes and effective natural remedies. Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. Increase your fluid intake
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Dehydration is one of the most common yet overlooked causes for dry mouth. Therefore, increasing your fluid intake, especially water, is essential to combat dry mouth. Keep your body hydrated by drinking water through the day, which will help your body to produce more saliva, while helping get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of dry mouth.
Remedies
- If you cannot drink water, suck on small ice chips to keep your fluid intake regular.
- Drinking herbal teas is another option to up your fluid intake.
- Consume partly frozen chunks of fruits which contain high amounts of water, like watermelon, pineapple, and cucumber.
- Drink fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices, and/or smoothies.
- Coconut water is another natural drink that is amazing in keeping you hydrated.
- Stews and soups are another option to up your fluid intake.
Pro tip: Beverages like coffee, tea, sodas, and alcoholic drinks should be avoided, since they exacerbate dehydration.
2. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is one of the most effective home remedies for dry mouth. Plus, it helps protect the sensitive tissue in your mouth, while also enhancing your taste buds.
Remedies
- Rinse your mouth using aloe vera juice a few times every day to keep the dryness at bay.
- Drink a quarter cup of fresh aloe vera juice to treat dryness in the mouth.
- Extract fresh aloe vera gel and apply it on the inside of your mouth using a clean Q-tip. Leave it on for several minutes, before rinsing it out with cold water. Follow this remedy twice or thrice a day.
3. Cardamom
Cardamom is used in traditional medicine to combat dryness in the mouth, very effectively. Chewing a pod of cardamom does the trick, and will help wet your mouth, while also helping eliminate bad breath.
Remedies
- Brew cardamom tea and let it cool down a bit, and use this to rinse your mouth twice a day to combat dry mouth.
- Chew a pod of cardamom after every meal, or whenever your mouth feels dry.
- To a glass of hot water, add 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder. Let it steep for about 10 minutes, before drinking it. Drink this tea at least twice a day.
Suggested read: All you need to know about dehydration and how to treat it with home remedies
4. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is excellent in stimulating saliva production, making it one of the best natural remedies to treat dry mouth. Additionally, it helps boost your taste buds, so that you can better distinguish the different flavors in your mouth.
Remedies
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper when you prepare dishes like soups and salads.
- Wet one of your fingers and press a little bit of ground cayenne pepper to it. Then, rub it around your tongue gently, for a bit. Although this might cause a burning sensation for a while, it will stimulate your salivary glands.
- After consulting your doctor, you could even ingest cayenne pepper capsules.
5. Fennel seeds
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Fennel seeds contain flavonoids, which help stimulate the flow of saliva, thus getting rid of dry mouth. Also, their aromatic and pleasant flavor keeps bad breath at bay.
Remedies
- Chew on fennel seeds many times in a day to treat dry mouth effectively.
- Mix together equal amounts of fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds, and dry roast them in a pan, on medium heat. Then, grind them into a smooth powder, and add a bit of salt to it. Eat half a teaspoon of this mixture after each meal to combat dryness in mouth.
6. Ginger
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Ginger is again a very effective home remedy for treating dry mouth. It helps stimulate saliva, while also making your mouth feel fresher for longer.
Remedies
- Slice up half an inch of raw ginger and chew a small piece slowly. Follow this remedy several times a day to combat dryness in the mouth.
- Drink 2-3 cups of ginger tea mixed with a bit of honey every day to stimulate your salivary glands.
7. Grapeseed oil
Grapeseed oil possesses moisturizing properties, which helps keep your mouth from drying out for a reasonable amount of time. Also, since it’s high in vitamin E, it will help heal any sores or ulcers you may have in your mouth.
Remedy
- Rub some grapeseed oil on your tongue and the insides of your cheeks using a clean finger. Let it stay overnight. The following morning, rinse out your mouth with warm water, followed by brushing your teeth as you normally do. Follow this remedy every day before going to bed.
8. Lemon
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Lemon juice can also help stimulate the production of saliva, hence relieving dry mouth. Also, its acidic nature can help cleanse your mouth, while also eliminating bad breath.
Remedies
- Drink homemade lemonade to combat dry mouth. However, be sure that the lemonade doesn’t contain any sugar.
- Sprinkle a pinch or two of salt on a small piece of lemon and use it to rub on your tongue to enhance your taste buds.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water. To this, add 1 teaspoon of honey and stir well. Sip this honey and lemon infused water through the day to stay hydrated and keep dry mouth at bay.
9. Oil pulling
Oil pulling is actually an ancient Ayurvedic practice that helps keep your mouth from drying out. Plus, it’s useful in maintaining oral health, while also help eliminating bad breath.
Remedy
- Put 1 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around thoroughly for about 15 minutes. Spit it out and wash your mouth using warm water to get the stickiness of the oil out. Then, follow it up by brushing your teeth. Repeat this remedy every day in the morning before consuming anything.
Pro tip: Oil pulling can done using sesame oil, coconut oil, or any other edible vegetable oil. Do not swallow or gargle the oil.
10. Slippery elm
Slippery elm, when put in water, becomes a slippery gel, because it contains mucilage. This helps coat and soothe the inside of your mouth as well as throat. Also, it can effectively relieve many discomforts associated with dry mouth.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder into enough water to make a sort of gel. Then, apply this on the inside of your mouth, leaving it on for a few minutes, before rinsing it out. Repeat this once or twice a day for best results.
- To a cup of hot water, add 2 tablespoons of slippery elm powder. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 10 minutes. Add a bit of honey to the strained liquid, and drink this tea twice a day to effectively combat dry mouth.
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Additional tips
- Smoking and/or chewing tobacco hampers saliva production and flow. So avoid them both.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages since caffeine has a drying effect inside your mouth. Instead, choose decaffeinated versions.
- Suck on sugar-free candies or chew sugar-free gum to keep your mouth hydrated by stimulating saliva production.
- Avoid breathing through your mouth; breathe through your nose instead.
- Use salt water to gargle at least thrice a day.
- Inhale steam once in a while to help keep your nasal passages and airways clear and hydrated.
- Use a humidifier in your room to add moisture, if it’s lacking.
- Cut down on your sugar intake through sweets and beverages.
- Brush and floss your teeth, and clean your tongue every day.
- Using fluoridated toothpaste is a good bet to avoid a dry mouth.
- Avoid eating too spicy and/or acidic foods since they irritate the inside of your mouth.
- Consume fruits and vegetables with high water content like cucumber, celery sticks, etc., that help stimulate the salivary glands and add much-needed moisture to your mouth.
These are all the amazingly effective home remedies for dry mouth that you need to try if you’re suffering from xerostomia. However, if the problem persists, then it’s better to take the opinion of a qualified medical professional.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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