Lack of salivation can promote an unpleasant sensation in the mouth, but it can also cause dental problems as one of the functions of saliva is to protect the teeth. If you do not produce it in sufficient quantities, there are various methods that allow you to increase its secretion. Using food and home remedies is often the simplest solution. However, if you have dry mouth and nothing seems to be working, try seeing your doctor.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Increase Saliva Production with Food and Drinks
Step 1. Use chewing gum
One of the easiest and fastest ways to produce more saliva is to put a gum in your mouth and chew it. The movement of the jaw will communicate to the body that you are eating and that you need saliva to break down the food.
- In these cases, you should choose sugar-free gum. Dental health is already at risk from salivation deficiency, so introducing sugar into your mouth can aggravate the problem.
- Xylitol is a sweetener used in the composition of gums and candies and is a great choice that will help ward off tooth decay.
Step 2. Suck on a lozenge, hard candy, mint or lollipop
By sucking on something sour or sweet, you will stimulate the salivary glands. However, consider consuming something sugar-free so you don't damage your teeth.
You can choose a lollipop, candy or lozenge, as long as it has a slightly tart flavor. The acidity will stimulate the salivary glands
Step 3. Stay hydrated
If you suffer from dry mouth, you need to safeguard your body's regular fluid content. Drink water throughout the day to hydrate your body, keep your mouth moist and dissolve the phlegm that gets into your mouth.
Step 4. Have a drink
To immediately moisturize your mouth, try a drink. This way, you will be able to moisten it, but you will also improve saliva production.
Do not choose drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. They risk inhibiting salivation
Step 5. Eat foods that stimulate salivary secretion
There are several foods that, thanks to their consistency, sugar content, sour or bitter taste, are able to stimulate the salivary glands to perform their function. They include:
- Apples;
- Hard cheeses;
- Crunchy vegetables;
- Citrus fruits;
- Vegetables with a bitter taste.
Method 2 of 3: Self Medication and Home Remedies
Step 1. Use an apple cider vinegar-based mouthwash
A remedy to promote salivation is to prepare a solution of water and apple cider vinegar. Pour a tablespoon of vinegar into a glass of water. Put everything in your mouth, shake and spit after a minute or so.
This remedy can perform the triple function of mouthwash, breath deodorant and lip moisturizer
Step 2. Use an artificial saliva preparation
In the pharmacy you can find several products that serve to relieve dry mouth. Just use them at regular intervals to moisten your mouth and stimulate saliva production.
They are sold in the form of a spray, gel or solution for rinsing the oral mucosa
Step 3. Avoid snoring and sleeping with your mouth open
One of the main causes of dry mouth and saliva deficiency is sleeping with your mouth open and snoring. To contain the problem of dry mouth in the morning and preserve regular salivation, change the position in which you sleep, clear the blocked nose and make other changes that make breathing easier.
- By breathing and snoring with your mouth open, you let in air through the oral cavity, which automatically loses its natural moisture.
- If a few simple changes and a new position during sleep don't solve the problem, consult your doctor for other solutions.
Method 3 of 3: Medical Care
Step 1. Discuss your problems with your doctor
If you have xerostomia, you should talk to your doctor and ask about the causes and treatments. Saliva is an important liquid for the body, so if home remedies and self-medication are not effective, seek its assistance.
Step 2. Avoid medications that cause dry mouth
If you are taking a drug that causes this side effect, ask your doctor if they can point you to an alternative. He may prescribe another one that is equally suitable for the condition you are treating, but that does not dehydrate your mouth.
There are hundreds of drugs that cause excessive burning in the mouth, including the most common ones such as diphenhydramine, paracetamol and loratadine
Step 3. Treat other health problems
In many cases, if the xerostomia is severe enough to require medical attention, it most likely indicates some disorder. It could be the side effect of drug therapy or the symptom of a disease.
Step 4. Take medications that promote salivation
If your saliva production is particularly low, your doctor may prescribe a drug to stimulate it. There are various options available depending on the patient's symptoms and health condition.
- Pilocarpine (Salagen) is a molecule prescribed in the treatment of xerostomia.
- Cevimeline (Evoxac) is a drug used to increase salivation in people with Sjögren's syndrome, an inflammatory disease that causes dry eyes, mouth and skin.
