Dealing with dry mouth can be frustrating and uncomfortable for a lot of people. But more than just being a nuisance, did you know that dry mouth can also damage your dental health? That’s why treating your dry mouth symptoms is an important aspect of your oral health. Figuring out the cause and how to cure a dry mouth can be difficult, but thankfully, there are several helpful treatment options to help hydrate your mouth and keep pesky dry mouth symptoms at bay. Read on to learn how dry mouth happens, what you can do about it, and remedies on how to cure a dry mouth.

What Causes Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs when you don’t have enough saliva to adequately perform beneficial functions like washing away food particles and even protecting your teeth from acids in food and drinks. Lots of health factors can cause dry mouth –– certain autoimmune disorders, diabetes, breathing primarily through the mouth, pregnancy and menopause, or even some medications can make your mouth cottony.

Dry mouth isn’t something that will automatically or immediately cause damage to your oral health, but with the prolonged absence of saliva, your teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay and gingivitis. If dry mouth becomes chronic, it can increase your risk of dental cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.

At-Home Remedies for Dry Mouth

It’s important to work with your primary care physician or general dentist to get to the root cause of your dry mouth. While there’s no cure for dry mouth, there are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and protect your dental health.

Prioritize Hydration

Saliva production is directly related to the amount of fluids in your body, so drink up! Drinking plenty of water will help boost your saliva and keep dry mouth at bay. Consider starting your day by drinking 16 ounces of water before having your morning cup of coffee, and keep a large water bottle nearby to sip throughout the day.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

It might be surprising to hear a dental office recommend chewing gum to help your oral health, but chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production and hydrate your mouth. Sucking sugar-free candies or ice cubes can also have the same effect.

Use a Humidifier

Keeping moisture in the air is a great way to hydrate the mucus membranes in your body. Running a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep will help reduce dry mouth and irritation and keep you more comfortable during the day.

Eat the Right Foods for Your Mouth

Spicy, crunchy, and salty foods can irritate your mouth and further dry it out. Instead, choose plain foods and try to incorporate juicy foods (think watermelon, cucumber, and celery) that will hydrate your mouth and nourish your body.

Visit Your General Dentist Regularly

It’s always important to keep up with regular dentist appointments for oral exams and x-rays. We recommend visiting your general dentist every six months. Between appointments, be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly, and consider using a gentle mouthwash specifically designed to help dry mouth.

Your general dentist may have additional treatments to try depending on what’s causing your dry mouth. Addressing dry mouth quickly is the key to protecting your teeth down the road, and making you more comfortable in the process.

Here at Endodontic Specialists, our goal is to help protect your natural teeth and help you live a more fulfilling life. Our team of specialists is ready to discuss how we can restore your smile! Contact us today to schedule your evaluation at one of our locations in Colorado Springs or Pueblo.