Many people have experienced the sticky and unpleasant sensation of dry mouth. Not only can this condition feel uncomfortable, but it poses a major risk to your oral health in many ways.
Chronic dry mouth might need intervention from a dentist to resolve, but you can stop this issue with methods employed from the comfort of your home too. Read on to find advice from your dentist to prevent and fix dry mouth conditions and preserve your smile.
Dry Mouth Prevention Tips
Drink Plenty of Water to Stay Hydrated
Dry mouth can be a symptom of dehydration. Low levels of hydration can occur if you do not drink enough water. This may lead to many medical concerns, but it will also decrease saliva production and cause dry mouth.
Therefore, you should make sure you drink plenty of water so that you can stay hydrated. Dentists and medical professionals agree that you should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day at a minimum to maintain adequate hydration. If you have caffeinated beverages or other foods or drinks that can dehydrate you, you should compensate by drinking more water.
If you do not treat dry mouth, bacteria can take advantage of the environment. Then they can spread with ease across your teeth. This will heighten your risk of oral infections, including gum disease. Dentists emphasize preventative care when it comes to gum health, so you should not ignore dry mouth symptoms.
Chew Gum to Initiate Saliva Production
If you notice that your mouth feels dry, you can stimulate saliva production to get rid of this sensation. The act of chewing can accomplish this, so dentists will often suggest chewing sugar-free gum.
You should choose specifically a gum without sugar because sugar notoriously harms your teeth and boosts your risk of getting cavities. You will want to find a way to get rid of dry mouth without hurting your oral health, and sugar-free gum can do this.
Evaluate and Alter Your Dry Environment
Sometimes environmental factors from your surroundings can contribute to dry mouth conditions. The next time you notice you have a dry mouth, evaluate your environment. If you spot a pattern of dry mouth in line with your surroundings, you should alter them so that you can protect your smile.
For instance, dry air in a room, especially in a place where you sleep or spend a great deal of time, can make your mouth dry too. If you cannot avoid this area, you can purchase a humidifier. This device can add moisture to the air in the room, which will lower your risk of dry mouth.
If you notice you have dry mouth when you wake up in the mornings, you might sleep with your mouth open. You can discuss ways to address this sleeping habit that could harm your oral health with your dentist.
They may recommend putting petroleum jelly on your gums so that they can stay hydrated. Or they may offer treatment for bite problems that impact your ability to close your mouth as you sleep.