Do you notice a tacky or dry sensation in your mouth? This dry oral environment can feel uncomfortable, but it will also pose a threat to your dental health, especially if the condition persists on a chronic basis.
Natural oral bacteria can travel across your teeth with greater ease and speed when you have dry mouth. Excess bacterial spread can increase your risk of oral infections, like gum disease. To avoid intervention from your dentist to treat these issues, prevent them by steering clear of risk factors like chronic dry mouth.
Sometimes, dry mouth may be a symptom of a larger health or dental problem. But in mild cases, you can treat the concern on your own.
If dry mouth continues despite at-home measures, you will need to consult with your dentist for assistance. But you can also read on to find three ways that you can fight dry mouth at home, protecting your oral health.
Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most common causes of dry mouth is dehydration. If your body lacks water, you cannot produce enough saliva to keep the mouth as moist as it needs to be. Drink plenty of water, at least eight eight-ounce glasses each day, to maintain adequate levels of hydration.
If you consume dehydrating agents, like alcohol or caffeine, you may need to drink more water to make up for these factors. Drinking water consistently throughout the day will ensure you stay hydrated. But sipping water will also introduce moisture into the mouth that can bring relief to acute cases of dry mouth.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you notice that you have dry mouth, you can stimulate saliva production to fight this condition through the act of chewing. The muscle movement signifies to the body that you are eating. The action encourages a flood of saliva to aid in this early stage of digestion.
However, if you chew and eat for the sake of dry mouth treatment when you do not feel hungry, you might disrupt your diet. Avoid this complication by chewing an item that you do not intend to eat, like chewing gum.
When choosing a type of chewing gum, look for a brand that does not contain added sugar. Sugar will deteriorate your dental structure, increasing your risk of cavities. So you should limit this substance in your diet as much as possible. Chew sugar-free gum to fight dry mouth without hurting your teeth.
Check for Environmental Causes
In some instances, your surrounding environment might contribute to dry mouth conditions. If you tend to experience dry mouth in certain rooms in your home, you should try to adjust the environment to relieve your symptoms.
For instance, dry air within a room may dry out your mouth as well. If you cannot avoid the room, you can purchase a humidifier, a device that adds moisture to the air. This can reduce your risk of dry mouth. But if the symptoms continue without an identified cause, give your dentist a call.