Home Remedies For Dry Mouth

15 Home Remedies For Dry Mouth That Actually Work

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Dry mouth is also called as Xerostomia. If you have a dry mouth then your mouth doesn't produce the required amount of saliva to keep the mouth wet. Saliva is 98% water and contains electrolytes, mucus, digestive enzymes and antibacterial components which are all important for the movement of food from the esophagus to the rectum. Saliva also breaks down starches - maltose and dextrin even before it reaches the stomach. Saliva helps in softening the food, producing food bolus and breaking down large piece of food for easy digestion. Hence, it is important that saliva is produced at a consistent pace inside the mouth. Dry mouth gives a feeling of uncomfortable dryness inside the mouth which can be discomforting. In case, you are suffering from a dry mouth, you need analyse the factors contributing to the condition. There can be several underlying reasons for the development of the dry mouth.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is mainly triggered by the salivary gland dysfunction. This condition gets affected by several factors - internal and external environmental. Below are few causes of the dry mouth

1. Aging

As a person ages, most functions of the body also age and deteriorate with the consumption of more medication. The ingredients included in the medication are a common cause for a dry mouth. The salivary gland starts malfunctioning as the body ages.

2. Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can result in dysfunctioning of the salivary glands. If a person suffers from as injury to the head, he or she might suffer damage to certain nerves responsible for signalling the salivary glands to produce more saliva. Nerve damage can also result from brain and spinal surgeries.

3. Diabetes

Dry mouth and dysfunctioning of salivary glands is a symptom and side-effect of diabetes. Certain medications to treat diabetes also contribute to chronic dryness in the mouth. Due to the dry mouth, there is hardly any saliva present to break down the starches in the mouth before it reaches to the stomach.

4. Smoking

The nicotine present in the cigarette smoke mixes with the flow and reduces the production of saliva. It further aggravates the dryness in the mouth leading to prolonged discomfort. The tobacco also contribute to tooth decay, bad breath, yellowing of teeth, killing of digestive enzyme and particles present in the saliva.

5. Medication

Medication are the biggest contributing factor to the dysfunction of the salivary glands. Certain medication, unprescribed drugs and intoxicating drugs contain components or ingredients which contribute or aggravate the symptoms of dry mouth. Prolonged usage of these medications can lead to chronic dryness, dysfunction of the salivary glands and further discomfort.

6. Eating Disorders

Yes, eating disorders also contribute to a dry mouth. A person suffering from bulimia can experience temporary or chronic dryness of mouth due to constant purging of food and fluids. Throwing up food leads to loss of enzymes present in the saliva which are responsible for breaking down food.

How To Treat Dry Mouth At Home?

1. Green Tea

Green Tea

What You Will Need

  • Green tea - 1 tea bag
  • Water - 1 cup

What To Do

  1. Boil 1 cup of water in a pot.
  2. Transfer the water to tea cup or a mug.
  3. Add the green tea bag to the cup of hot water.
  4. Let the tea infuse the water for a minute or two.
  5. Remove the used tea bag and drink the tea.

How Often To Do

You can drink this twice a day.

Why This Works

Green tea has antibacterial properties which combat against cavities. It removes bad breath and stimulates the flow of saliva.

2. Ginger Tea

What You Will Need

  • Ginger - 1 piece
  • Water - 1 cup
  • Honey - 1 teaspoon (optional)

What To Do

  1. Add a piece of ginger to a pot of boiling water.
  2. Let the water simmer as the ginger gets infused into the liquid.
  3. Filter the ginger out as you transfer the tea to a mug.
  4. Add a teaspoon of honey for flavoring.

How Often To Do

You can do this twice a day.

Why This Works

Ginger, like green tea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which prevent bad breath, cavities, tooth decay and dryness in the mouth.

Also Read : 15 Helpful Home Remedies for Bad Breath

3. Honey Water

Honey Water

What You Will Need

  • Honey - 1 tablespoon
  • Water - 1 cup

What To Do

  1. Boil 1 cup of water in a pot.
  2. Transfer the water to a mug.
  3. Add a tablespoon of honey to the water.
  4. Mix well and consume instantly.

How Often To Do

You can do this twice a day in order to relieve the symptoms of dry mouth.

Why This Works

Honey stimulates the flow of saliva inside the mouth which responsible for moving the food from the esophagus to the stomach. Saliva also break down the starches in the mouth.

4. Aloe Vera

What You Will Need

  • Edible aloe Vera gel - 1 tablespoon
  • Water - 1 cup

What To Do

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of edible and organic aloe vera gel to a cup of room temperature water.
  2. Consume the drink directly.

How Often To Do

You can do this twice a day or whenever you get a dry mouth.

Why This Works

Aloe Vera can instigate the flow of saliva in the mouth and can also contribute to increased production of saliva.

5. Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds

What You Will Need

  • Fennel seeds - 1 tablespoon
  • Water - 1 cup

What To Do

  1. Grind 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds.
  2. Add the powder to room temperature water.
  3. Consume the drink immediately.

How Often To Do

You can do this twice a day.

Why This Works

Fennel seeds are flavonoids which stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth.

6. Celery

What You Will Need

  • Celery sticks - 3

What To Do

  1. Chew on 2-3 celery sticks daily.

How Often To Do

You can do this once a day.

Why This Works

Celery is enriched with vitamin C, digestive enzymes and flavonoids. Flavonoids contribute to increased production of saliva.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

What You Will Need

  • Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 tablespoon
  • Water - 1 tablespoon

What To Do

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to room temperature water.
  2. Consume the drink immediately.

How Often To Do

You can do this twice a day or whenever you sense a dry mouth.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which combat tooth decay, bad breath, cavities and dryness of mouth.

8. Parsley

What You Will Need

  • Parsley - 6 leaves

What To Do

  1. Chew on on 6-8 leaves of parsley throughout the day.

How Often To Do

You can do this once a day.

Why This Works

Parsley is rich with vitamin A, C and iron. It acts a s a mouth freshner and stimulant of saliva.

Also Read : Benefits of Vitamin A

9. Yogurt

Yogurt

What You Will Need

  • Yogurt - 1 bowl

What To Do

  1. Consume a bowl of fresh yogurt everyday.

How Often To Do

  1. You can do this 2-3 times a day.

Why This Works

Yogurt has softening, moisturising and hydrating properties which can treat the dryness in mouth.

10. Oil Pulling

What You Will Need

  • Olive oil or coconut oil - 1 tablespoon

What To Do

  1. Swish 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil inside the mouth for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Spit out the oil and brush the teeth to remove any oil residue.

How Often To Do

You can do this once daily.

Why This Works

The oils keep the mouth moist and prevents any symptoms of dryness in the mouth.

Also Read : Oil Pulling - Benefits and How to Do

11. Rosemary

Rosemary

What You Will Need

  • Rosemary leaves - 10
  • Water - 1 cup

What To Do

  1. Soak 10 rosemary leaves in 1 cup of water overnight.
  2. Filter out the leaves and drink the water.

How Often To Do

You can do this once daily.

Why This Works

Rosemary is refreshing and has antiseptic properties which help in the treatment of dry mouth.

12. Aniseeds

What You Will Need

  • Aniseeds - 1 teaspoon

What To Do

  1. Chew on 1 teaspoon of aniseeds.
  2. You can add some fennel seeds as well to the mixture.

How Often To Do

You can do this whenever you feel that your mouth is dry.

Why This Works

Aniseed is a herd which treats bad breath, tooth decay and dry mouth. It also has medicinal properties.

13. Fish Oil

Fish Oil

What You Will Need

  • Fish supplements - as prescribed

What To Do

  1. You can consult a doctor before buying fish supplements.
  2. Intake should be as per the dosage prescribed on the label.
  3. Instead of taking supplements you can eat a omega-3 rich diet.

How Often To Do

You can do this as per prescription.

Why This Works

Omega-3 rich fatty acids reduce inflammation and treat dry mouth.

 14. Iron

What You Will Need

  • Iron capsules - as per prescribed dosage

What To Do

  1. Consume an iron supplement as per prescription.
  2. Consult a doctor before purchasing iron supplements.
  3. Instead you can follow an iron rich diet.

How Often To Do

You can do this per prescribed dosage on the label.

Why This Works

Adequate amount of iron is required for proper functioning of the digestive system. It also stimulates the production of saliva.

15. Cayenne Pepper

 Cayenne Pepper

What You Will Need

  • Cayenne pepper - 1 teaspoon

What To Do

  1. Rub a pinch of cayenne pepper over your tongue.

How Often To Do

You can do this 2 times a day.

Why This Works

Cayenne pepper has digestive and detoxifying properties which trigger the movement of saliva in the mouth. 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: All the content on anveya.com/blogs is solely for information. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health care provider. The information, suggestion or remedies mentioned on this site are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.

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