Xerostomia, more commonly known as dry mouth, is a normal problem for many people. A reduced salivary flow affects about 10 percent of the population, many of whom experience the condition after taking prescriptions. Women and the elderly experience dry mouth more often than men and children. In extreme cases, dry mouth causes malnutrition. Saliva is necessary for overall health. It lubricates and protects the mouth against sores, ulcers and rubbing actions that happen when you speak or eat. Saliva also balances acids, prevents tooth decay, assists digestion, helps you taste your food, and keeps minerals in your teeth. When the composition of your saliva changes, you feel dryness in your mouth. Conditions like aging, stress, anxiety, drug use and smoking all can change a person’s saliva. More than 400 types of medication for allergies, colds, high blood pressure, overactive bladder and mental health cause dry mouth. Here are the top 10 remedies for dry mouth.
Hydration
One of the simplest ways to make sure your mouth stays hydrated and moist is to increase your water intake. Dehydration happens when you lose more body fluids than you take in. This condition also leads to dry mouth. When you drink more water, your body produces more saliva. Although this seems an easy way to relieve dry mouth, many people struggle with drinking great amounts of water. Many do not enjoy the taste of water. If you are one of these people, you should try sucking on small pieces of ice. You also can drink fruit-based smoothies that contain a high amount of water. People who found success in overcoming dry mouth drink 1 or 2 glasses of coconut water per day to keep their mouths hydrated.
Fennel Seeds
Because seeds are dry, it may seem unusual to use them to increase moisture. However, fennel seeds are rich in plant ingredients called flavonoids. The seeds give off a distinct smell and keep your mouth clean. In fact, people have used fennel for centuries to fight bad breath. Fennel seeds also help produce saliva, which, in turn, helps reduce dry mouth. You can try roasting some fennel seeds in a pan, and then grinding them with a bit of sea salt. A good rule of thumb is to eat ½ teaspoon of the fennel seed mixture after each meal. This practice ensures a healthy and fresh mouth.
Oil Pulling
People know 0il pulling for its many medicinal uses. This ancient practice dates back to the time of the Ayurvedic people. Keeping your mouth moist ranks high among its many useful purposes. That is why many people recommend oil pulling as a treatment for dry mouth. Moreover, oil pulling benefits your overall oral health, since it kills bacteria that cause bad breath. You can perform oil pulling by swishing any type of edible vegetable oil in your mouth for a few minutes. For example, coconut and sesame oils work well for this practice. Afterward, you should rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm bark contains a gel-like chemical substance called mucilage. That substance is known to keep the mucous lining of your digestive tract healthy. Slippery elm works by coating the mouth with a thin gel layer, which keeps the mouth moist. Moreover, it can alleviate other unpleasant symptoms related to dry mouth, including inflammation and discomfort. Furthermore, slippery elm causes a reflex in the digestive tract’s nerve endings. This causes your digestive system to create more protective mucous for protection. To use slippery elm, you should mix 1 to 2 tablespoons into a cup of hot water. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Afterward, you should strain the liquid, add honey, and consume the mixture throughout the day. Optionally, you can use the mixture as a mouthwash.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is well known for its culinary uses; few people know that it is also a powerful remedy for dry mouth. Amazingly, cayenne pepper contains ingredients that boost the production of saliva. This makes cayenne pepper an effective remedy for dry mouth. An added benefit of cayenne pepper is that it stimulates your taste buds, which allows you to distinguish between a wide variety of flavors. Those flavor distinctions include sour, sweet, bitter, and salty. To use cayenne pepper, apply ground cayenne pepper onto your tongue. However, you should be careful not to apply too much. It can create a lasting burn on your tongue in concentrated amounts. If you prefer a supplement, you should consider taking cayenne pepper capsules.
Cardamon
Cardamon is another ancient remedy that has proven effective in fighting dry mouth and other oral health problems. Just like oil pulling, the use of cardamom dates back to Ayurvedic society. If you chew a pod of cardamom, you can increase the moisture in your mouth. This practice also helps you eliminate bad breath and keep your mouth fresh for extended periods of time. After each meal, you should chew a pod of cardamom to develop a daily ritual. You also can add cardamom powder to a glass of hot water. It is best to drink this mixture up to twice a day.
Ginger
Ginger contains an ingredient called gingerol that helps to stimulate saliva. This compound gives ginger its medicinal benefit for fighting dry mouth. The ginger alternative works because its slightly peppery taste and its strong natural compounds drive your salivary glands to keep producing more saliva. Your mouth stays hydrated and moist. Ginger also offers antibacterial benefits. It kills bacteria that cause bad breath. Medical practitioners recommend eating small pieces slowly. Ginger has a very strong taste that may overwhelm some people. To ensure you have a fresh, moist mouth, you should eat ginger a few times a day. You also can make ginger tea. However, you should remember to add honey if you want to make it sweet. You can drink between two and three cups of ginger tea every day.
Aloe Vera
Most people already know the benefits of aloe vera for beauty and health. Those benefits are the main reason so many people keep an aloe plant in their homes. The medicinal properties of this plant offer another natural remedy for dry mouth. Aloe vera acts as both a healing and preventive measure. It protects the tissue in the mouth from damage and promotes the healing of tissue even after it is damaged. Aloe vera also stimulates your taste buds and the production of saliva in your mouth. If you want to enjoy the benefits of aloe vera, you should mix a few tablespoons of aloe vera juice into a large water bottle. Most people carry their bottles of aloe vera around with them and drink from them all day. You also can rinse your mouth with aloe vera twice a day if you do not want to drink it. Some people use aloe vera as a topical treatment for bug bites.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice alone is extremely tart and causes the face to pucker. However, this reaction works well for dry mouth. The sourness of the fruit stimulates the salivary glands of the mouth and keeps your mouth hydrated. Lemon juice also offers vitamins and powerful antioxidants that keep your body healthy. As an added benefit, the citric acid in lemon juice combats bad breath. To use lemon juice for dry mouth, mix the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water. You may also add honey. Another option is to rub a freshly cut lemon wedge on your tongue, bolstering the taste buds. However, if your tongue is sensitive, you should stick to lemon water. You should limit your lemon juice intake to once a day. The acid can erode the enamel on your teeth.
Grapeseed Oil
Another fast-acting and effective remedy for dry mouth is grapeseed oil. This product moisturizes the mouth by coating the tissue with a substance that ensures long-lasting hydration. What makes grapeseed oil so beneficial for oral health is its vitamin E high content. If you have any sores in your mouth, vitamin E begins to heal any affected areas. You can use grapeseed oil by applying a liberal amount to your fingers. Then, you should rub it over your tongue and the inside of your mouth. Health experts recommend leaving it on overnight to allow the oil to take effect. You can repeat this process every day until you begin to see a change.