Dry Mouth (and What to Know!)

Saliva is the unsung hero of your mouth, working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. From keeping your teeth and gums healthy to helping with digestion and promoting overall health, saliva plays a big role in oral health. And if you’ve ever experienced dry mouth, you know how uncomfortable it can be to have low saliva. Low saliva production can also  lead to some long-lasting issues like gum disease and tooth decay. But what exactly causes dry mouth, and what can you do to help your mouth naturally?

What is Dry Mouth (or Xerostomia)?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition where your salivary glands don’t create enough saliva, and your mouth is dry. Dry mouth can be a temporary or long-term condition.

Low saliva levels can impact both your mouth and digestion. It aids in chewing and swallowing, promotes oral health by maintaining an alkaline pH, and helps clear harmful bacteria and viruses to protect your teeth and gums. Additionally, saliva signals your stomach to produce acid, making digestion more efficient.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Low saliva production causes uncomfortable dryness in your mouth. But it also creates unfortunate side effects:

• Difficulty breathing or talking - Because your mouth and throat are dry, it can be more difficult and uncomfortable to speak or breathe.

• Sore Throat - A dry mouth usually means a sore throat.

• Bad Breath - Low salivary flow can lead to more bacteria. This can cause bad breath.

• Increased mouth sores - A dry mouth can lead to an increase in uncomfortable canker sores and other mouth sores.

• Tooth decay or gum disease - Because saliva helps keep bad bacteria out of your mouth, having less saliva can have a negative impact on oral health. 

While these symptoms can be annoying and frustrating, there are things you can do to help alleviate some of these side effects.

What Are the Causes of Dry Mouth?

There are several causes of dry mouth. While some of these are easy to fix, others are more difficult to change.

1. Dehydration - When we don’t drink enough water, our body uses what water we take in for vital functions. Saliva production decreases when you’re dehydrated. 

2. Medication - Some medications have a side effect of decreasing saliva production. Medications that dry out your sinuses (for allergies and colds) are major culprits. These include antihistamines and decongestants. In addition, antidepressants and medication for Parkinson’s disease can also dry out your mouth. This study shows that older adults are often more susceptible to dry mouth because of all of their medications.

3. Medical conditions - Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer’s disease can all impact your saliva levels. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren’s Syndrome can decrease saliva production. (Sjögren’s Syndrome is also linked to dry eyes, dry skin, and muscle aches.)

4. Mouth Breathing - Snoring or breathing through your mouth at night can impact saliva production. This might be a sign that you have sleep apnea or something else affecting your breathing.

5. Radiation Therapy - If you’re undergoing cancer treatment for the head or neck, it could damage the salivary glands and lead to less saliva.

6. Nerve Damage - Trauma to the head or neck can also cause the salivary glands to create less saliva.

Fortunately, some of these can be managed with simple routine changes. But others may require discussing with a doctor.

Natural Ways to Help Dry Mouth

There are plenty of natural ways to tackle dry mouth without relying on artificial saliva substitutes. By boosting your saliva flow, you can keep your mouth healthier and avoid issues like gum disease and tooth decay. The best part? These solutions are simple, affordable, and great for your overall health!

1. Drink plenty of water - Because water is important for saliva production, you want to make sure to drink enough throughout the day. Aim for half of your body weight in ounces a day plus more when you’re sick or sweating a lot.

2. Have a really good oral hygiene routine - Brushing with a good xylitol toothpaste and flossing helps create more saliva. 

3. Take oral probiotics - Your oral microbiome is an important part of your oral health. Adding in an oral probiotic also helps balance the pH in your mouth to create a higher salivary flow.

4. Use a natural mouthwash or rinse - Keep in mind that not all mouthwashes are created equal. You want to choose one without any artificial colors or fluoride. Make sure you choose an alcohol-free option, as alcohol can dry out your mouth even more.

5. Get regular dental checkups - Regular checkups will make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy despite a dry mouth.

6. Sleep with a humidifier or Mouth Tape - If one of the causes of dry mouth for you is mouth breathing, adding a humidifier to your bedroom can help. Mouth tape is also increasing in popularity and can be a good way to support your airway overnight to keep your mouth closed.

7. Use natural sugar-free gum and lozenges (with xylitol) - Xylitol is a natural sweetener that helps increase salivary flow and balance the oral microbiome.

8. Avoid acidic foods, alcohol, caffeine, and smoking - These things can dry out or irritate your mouth, making symptoms worse.

Following these easy steps can help you naturally relieve your dry mouth symptoms. Taking care of your teeth and gums will promote better salivary flow and oral health. Of course, if you are still experiencing difficulties because of low saliva, it’s best to see a doctor to discuss your medical history and health conditions.

Wellnesse Products to Support a Healthy Mouth

If you or someone in your family is suffering from dry mouth, Wellnesse’s oral care products offer natural support for your oral health. 

Check out our fluoride-free toothpaste with xylitol for fresh breath that also supports your gums and strengthens your teeth. Our Balanced Mouth Blend is a natural, alcohol-free mouthwash alternative that supports a healthy microbiome.

And speaking of a healthy oral microbiome, you’ll definitely want to add in Oral Probiotics to your oral health routine to support your saliva production. All of our products harness the power of essential oils for fresh breath and healthy mouths.