There are several home remedies for dry mouth at night that a person can try. This article will talk about how to deal with dry mouth and which first aid techniques can be used to relieve the discomfort you feel because of it. After reading this article, check this page for more information about dry mouth and other oral issues you may need help with.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands are not properly working to produce the needed amount of saliva in the mouth. This is a diagnosable condition, but it can often be a symptom of another more serious condition.
Home treatments for dry mouth
These are home treatments that you can use to relieve dry mouth, but you will have to seek medical treatment to be able to get rid of it.
Drink water. One obvious solution will be to increase fluid intake, especially water.
Avoid getting dehydrated. Dehydration has been found to be one of the common causes of dry mouth. Avoiding dehydration will also help a person lessen the chances of developing dry mouth. Keeping away from drinks and food like sugar-rich food and coffee will help a person stay away from dehydration and ultimately, dry mouth.
Eat sugarless candy and chew sugarless gum. Sucking on candies that are sugar-free, as well as chewing sugarless gum has been proven to provide temporary relief from dry mouth.
Good oral hygiene habits. One other cause of dry mouth is having poor oral hygiene habits. Brushing, flossing and using fluoride toothpaste is a good way to prevent dry mouth. Also making sure that your mouth is free from plaque and tartar will ensure good overall oral health.
Avoid breathing through your mouth. Breathing through the mouth can cause dry mouth and several various other oral health issues. It is more advisable to breathe through the nose, especially when a person is experiencing dry mouth symptoms. This will ensure that the symptoms do not worsen.
Over-the-counter saliva substitutes. There are over-the-counter options that a person can try, but then again, these will only relieve the symptoms temporarily and not cure dry mouth.
When to seek medical treatment
Dry mouth alone is not a serious condition. However, as mentioned earlier, it may be a sign of a more serious health concern that needs medical treatment and attention. If you have dry mouth often and feel more than a little dehydrated most of the time, the dry mouth may be a symptom of something you need to see your doctor about.
If your family has a history of kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases, you may want to see your doctor about your dry mouth symptoms. The doctor will be able to diagnose you for any more serious underlying conditions. They will also be able to tell you if the dry mouth you are experiencing is a standalone condition. They will also be able to advise you on other treatment options you may not have tried yet, to get rid of dry mouth on your own.
