The problem with having a dry mouth is that the saliva can't wash away the food from the teeth. Also everytime you eat your mouth becomes acidic and your teeth start to break down. The minerals in spit replace the minerals lost. If you don't have enough spit you are at a higher chance of getting cavities.
Not to mention, having a cotton mouth is uncomfortable. Who enjoys hardly being able to speak?!!
Chances are if you don't have a dry mouth you know someone that does. Also, as we age the more medications we are likely to take....the dryer our mouths will become...
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to stress when dealing with a dry mouth is to keep your mouth CLEAN!! A person with a dry mouth is at a far higher chance of tooth decay for the reasons mentioned above. If you don't have a Sonicare toothbrush please consider getting one.
I really stress xylitol products to my patients with dry mouths. Xylitol promotes saliva and it helps get rid of the bad bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities!!! This is the information from a handout I give my patients that suffer from a dry mouth. (I adapted this handout from a course I took on xerostomia.)
Dry Mouth Relief
Drink 8-10 x 8oz glasses of water per day (check with MD first if you have heart, or kidney disease).
Keep water at the bedside
Floss daily, and clean the tongue with a tongue scraper.
Brush 3-4 times per day (now is the time to get a Sonicare!!!)
Chew gum with xylitol for five minutes, three times a day
Eat moist foods with gravy, mayo etc
Rinse with water before eating
Avoid the following:
Alcohol-based rinses
Toothpaste with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Whitening or tartar control toothpaste
Smoking (damages salivary glands)
Caffeine (diminishes salivary flow)
Salty foods (causes discomfort)
Sugary or acidic foods and drinks (mouth is already acidic and prone to tooth decay)
Helpful over the counter products
Biotene Oral Balance
Saliva substitute gel (can also be used on lips)
Mouth rinse
Toothpaste, Sensitive toothpaste
Moisturizing Drops
Gum with 100% xylitol
Lip balm with lanolin, beeswax or shea butter.
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Oasis, by Sensodyne: Rinse, & Oral moisturizing spray
Prevident paste for Dry Mouth, with extra fluoride.
Spry xylitol gum or mints
Spry RAIN - dry mouth spray
Trident Xtra care gum with Recaldent (calcium & phosphate). ACT fluoride mouth wash |
For overnight - try Xylimelts from Orahealth. These lozenges can stick to the roof of your mouth and slowly dissolve overnight - constantly stimulating salivary flow and releasing xylitol.
Many of the xylitol products can be purchased on the Internet or your local health food store.