Four Ways to Naturally Quench Persistent Dry Mouth
Let's face it, persistent dry mouth isn't ranked on the list of medical conditions that are considered severe illnesses, but if you have ever woken up in the morning with a sore throat, numbness on your tongue and cottonmouth, you know how uncomfortable it can be.Dry mouth also known as xerostomia in medical terms results from an inadequate production saliva. While it is not a disease, dry mouth is a common symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect that occurs from medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics, and many others. Saliva plays a critical role in boosting our immunity and is the first line of defense against bacteria that can lead to diseases. It also aids in washing away food by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and is an essential component in fighting tooth decay keeping the soft and hard tissues in our mouth healthy. People with persistent dry mouth often experience chronic bad breath, sore throat, burning sensation, trouble eating and swallowing, and hoarseness. In some cases, it can be an indicator of Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to suppress moisture-producing glands. While many doctors and dentists may recommend over-the-counter products such as rinses, sprays, gels, and even toothpaste, they often only offer temporary relief. Here are four ways to naturally prevent dry mouth.
Proper hydration
Proper hydration is one of the most effective ways to produce saliva in the mouth naturally. Keeping your mouth moist can help to moisten and stimulate saliva production. While many people try sipping throughout the day, water alone may not be effective at keeping your mouth moist. That's because proper hydration is more about how much water our bodies absorb, and less how much water we consume. And let's not forget the more water we drink, the more we are likely to visit the bathroom. According to a recent survey, consumers who used Hydrus found that 67% improvement in their dry mouth symptoms. Hydrus is effective at relieving dry mouth because it's formulated with a patented nanosome technology that enables higher absorption and faster delivery of electrolytes to the body's cells and organs. And because Hydrus is created to maximize absorption is sugar-free and flavored with Stevia.
Cut back on salty and dry foods
Cutting back on salty and dry foods such as chips, crackers, bread, melba toast, popcorn, rice cakes, sticky pastries can also help to reduce dryness in the mouth. Food seasoned with soy and chili and yes chocolate can also irritate and make dry mouth worse.
Avoid sugar and acidic foods
Avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks because they increase your risk of tooth decay. Sugary drinks also cause inflammation in the body and prevent proper hydration triggering dry mouth symptoms. It's also important to avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine. Similarly, coffees, teas, soda, and acidic beverages such as juices also can exacerbate dry mouth because they cause frequent urination. Commercial mouth rinses or mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide are also a big no-no because these ingredients will further dry out your mouth.
Consume moist foods.
Consuming a diet of wet foods such as broths, soups, sauces, gravy, creams, and butter or margarine can also help to increase moisture in the mouth. Soft natural foods such as tender meats like eggs, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, and soft-cooked/blended vegetables like creamed corn, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soft-pasta with butter and oil and milkshakes are excellent for relieving dryness.
