No one likes dry mouth. Plus, it tends to go hand in hand with bad breath. So where does it come from? What are the consequences? And what can you do to turn the problem around? We’ll take a look at each of these in today’s post.
Where does dry mouth come from?
Put simply, it comes from a lack of saliva. Okay, not exactly rocket science. But what causes this apparent drop in saliva production? Turns out … plenty of things!
- Medications
- Chemotherapy
- Stress
- Tobacco
- Dehydration
- Sinus or nasal problems
- Using an alcohol based mouthwash
- Diseases such as AIDS, Alzheimer’s, anemia, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and more
What are the consequences of dry mouth?
People often experience a stickiness in the mouth, frequent thirst, chronic sores and split skin, burning or tingling, and bad breath. Since you take your mouth with you wherever you go, this affects every aspect of your life. It can change the way food tastes, cause pain throughout the day, and often makes people feel self-conscious about their breath.
What can you do to prevent or reverse dry mouth?
It depends on the cause. If you believe that lifestyle is causing your dry mouth, you can practice drinking more water, intentionally reducing your stress, or start working your way toward quitting smoking or chewing tobacco.
If you use an alcohol based mouthwash, the answer is simple. Start using an alcohol-free mouthwash that is clinically proven to work.
When dry mouth is a symptom of a chronic disease or medication, you can start by improving your overall health. This can help to reduce symptoms in general. Consider improving your diet by eating more leafy greens, reducing sugar, and taking care of your gut’s microbiome. A meditation practice can also be very helpful along your healing journey. Many people have been able to get off of their medications completely by radically improving their diet – although we recommend checking with a medical professional before you stop taking any medication.
If your dry mouth is caused by chemotherapy, there are a handful of things you can do to counteract this side effect. Fortunately, there are some great mouthwashes that help treat and prevent dry mouth. (We have several that our clients really love.) You can also rinse your mouth regularly throughout the day, even adding sea salt or baking soda and swishing it around for a minute or two. Make sure to stay hydrated, and feel free to eat some fresh, juicy fruit as well.
Sharing is Caring
Do you know someone who is suffering from dry mouth? Be a friend and pass this on!
