Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. Certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants or muscle relaxants can cause a dry mouth. Other causes of dry mouth include cancer treatments, aging, nerve damage, tobacco and certain medical illnesses such as sjogren’s syndrome. Since dry mouth is caused by many things, it can be remedies in different ways.

If the dryness is due to drugs, it may be possible for your doctor to advise you to stop taking those drugs, reduce their intake or switch to another less drying medication.

Prescriptions for dry mouth are available and they are often prescribed by dentists. Some of the prescribed drugs are specifically targeted at known causes, for instance, if the xerostomia is caused by radiation for cancer, a radioprotectant drug may be used. Some other drugs stimulate the salivary glands to work harder, so it’s important to choose a prescription medication for dry mouth with the help of an experienced professional. It’s important to discuss dry mouth alternative medication options with your dentist before trying it out.

Anything that will stimulate the flow of saliva combats xerostomia. Some herbs and herbal preparations are also known to be particularly effective and are recommended as dry mouth alternative options. Chinese green tea, a tea that is frequently valued for its other possible healthy properties, is a pleasant one that you can try. Chamomile (sometimes taken as tea) and ginger are other possibilities, some of the herbal blends are available from alternative medical suppliers.

There are a few measures that can be taken to lessen the discomfort of dry mouth. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, tobacco or alcohol. Drink lots of water and sugarless fruit juices and also use artificial saliva products. A humidifier should be used to increase the moisture content of the air in your room. Rinse your mouth after eating or drinking. Brush the teeth with a moist soft- bristle toothbrush and floss regularly. Use sugarless gum and hard candy (sugar promotes tooth decay but having a candy in the mouth stimulates saliva flow).

Recent studies have shown that drugs called pilocarpine and cervimeline can decrease the oral sensation or oral dryness. These drugs are taken 3- 4 times a day, after meals, and their effects usually last 2- 4 hours. These drugs combined with other methods to stimulate the flow of saliva have made it possible for many people to find relief from their scorched- mouth feeling.

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