Does your mouth feel like it’s full of cotton? Or does it remind you of the Sahara Desert? Having an overly dry mouth can result from a variety of dental and medical issues. For example, one common culprit of dry mouth symptoms is related to medications. The best long-term solution is to consult your dentist or physician to determine the root cause of your dry mouth, and to get treatment to solve the problem. Sometimes all that is needed is to change to a different medication, and your dry mouth will disappear. However, here are some things you can try to temporarily relieve your dry mouth until you are able to determine what is causing it.

• Sip water often.
• Limit caffeine consumption, which can dry out your mouth even more.
• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy.
• Use an over-the-counter saliva substitute, such as Biotene.
• Do not use tobacco products of any kind.
• Do not use mouthwashes containing alcohol, because it can be drying.
• Avoid over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, which can worsen your dryness symptoms.
• Add moisture to the air using a humidifier.
• Try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

If you do experience the symptoms of dry mouth, it’s especially important to protect your oral health. Make sure you brush your teeth with toothpaste containing fluoride, and ask your dentist if prescription fluoride toothpaste would benefit you. Use a fluoride mouth rinse before bed to add an extra layer of protection for your teeth. Limit the amount of sugary foods or items high in acids, as both of these types of foods increase your risk of tooth decay. Following these tips for relieving dry mouth symptoms can make it more comfortable for you to eat, swallow, and talk.

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