Dry Mouth in Everyday Life: Practical Tips for Different Situations

From bedtime to waking up in the morning, everyday routines can feel more challenging when you have xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Xerostomia is a clinical condition in which the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, which results in an uncomfortable feeling of dry mouth. This seemingly innocuous symptom can lead to a host of health problems, from rampant dental caries to loss of taste to sleep disruptions, and more. Xerostomia can also significantly reduce one’s quality of life. That’s why practical management of xerostomia is so important. 

 

In this article, we’ll discuss how dry mouth can affect you in various daily situations and explore the best ways to reduce its symptoms, improve your health, and live life to the fullest. 

 

Dry Mouth Treatments

Before we delve into the various situations in which xerostomia can make life difficult, it’s important to understand that the tips we provide are NOT replacements for dry mouth treatment.

While there is no cure for dry mouth today, there are several dry mouth therapy options on the market that provide various levels of relief.

 

The best xerostomia remedies include:

• The SaliPen: The SaliPen is an FDA-approved dry mouth treatment that gently stimulates the salivary glands with small electrical impulses, encouraging the salivary glands to produce more saliva. It addresses the root cause of dry mouth (improper salivary gland function) and has no known side effects. For many users, integrating the SaliPen into daily routines offers sustained improvement in moisture, comfort, and oral health protection.
• Medications: In some cases, doctors prescribe drugs such as pilocarpine or cevimeline, which work by stimulating the salivary glands to produce more saliva. These medications are typically effective, but are not suitable for everyone and may cause unpleasant side effects, so it’s important to have an open conversation with your doctor about the pros and cons. 
• Saliva substitutes: These typically come in the form of sprays, rinses, gels, lozenges, and chewing gum. They’re designed to coat the mouth and provide temporary moisture. While they don’t fix the underlying problem of xerostomia, they can provide rapid relief and make eating, speaking, and swallowing more comfortable.
  
  

Usually, a combination of treatments achieves the best results. Work together with your healthcare professionals to achieve the right balance. 

 

The tips that we share below for different daily situations can complete your comprehensive dry mouth treatment plan, but aren’t enough to cure dry mouth symptoms without clinical intervention.

• Mealtime

 

Xerostomia can make it difficult to chew and swallow food. It also prevents the digestion process from starting as it usually does, since saliva is the first step in breaking down food enzymes and starches. To counteract the difficulty xerostomia causes when eating, we recommend:

 

• Choose moist, soft, or saucy foods (soups, stews, yogurt) that don’t require much chewing and are easier to swallow.
• Sip water between bites.
• Avoid overly salty, sugary, spicy, or dry/crunchy foods that increase thirst and can irritate the mouth.

• Nights & Bedtime Routine

 

Saliva production naturally decreases in the evening hours, which is why dry mouth at night is often exacerbated. This can lead to frequent nighttime waking, creating ongoing sleep issues.

Keep in mind, though, that it’s important to distinguish between oral dryness and thirst. If you simply feel the need to moisten your mouth — but not to drink — try swishing water in your mouth and then spitting it out, instead of swallowing. You can keep a small container nearby for spitting to make this easier. Drinking water when you’re not truly thirsty may increase the need to urinate, which can also cause nighttime waking.

 

Additional ways to combat dry mouth at night include:

• Brush your teeth and floss thoroughly before bedtime, as good oral hygiene can minimize the risks of dental problems caused by a lack of saliva.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to maintain moisture in the air.
• Practice nose breathing — mouth breathing can further dry out the mouth. 
• In general, if you have dry mouth, it’s best to avoid dehydrating substances like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. If it’s very hard to stay away from these substances completely, at least try avoiding them at night, as they naturally decrease saliva production.

• Work, School & Speaking Situations

 

Many workplaces and schools rely on air conditioning or heating, which can make the air dry and worsen xerostomia symptoms. Stress and long hours can also add to the problem. Dry mouth becomes especially challenging if your role involves speaking for extended periods, whether in meetings, classrooms, or presentations. 

 

To make these situations easier:

 

• Keep saliva substitutes on hand — while they don’t solve the root cause of dry mouth, they can provide quick relief and make talking more comfortable.
• Carry a water bottle and take small sips often, instead of waiting until your mouth feels very dry.
• Practice meditation or mindfulness as a way of reducing stress. Stress has been linked to xerostomia, so calming activities not only benefit your mind but also your body.
  
  

• Exercise & Physical Activity

 

Workouts, whether indoors or outdoors, can increase thirst and exacerbate dry mouth symptoms. Heavy breathing, sweating, and dehydration all reduce saliva, and gyms or sports environments often have dry air from heating or air conditioning. 

 

To keep dry mouth under control during exercise:

• Schedule workouts for cooler parts of the day or choose shaded/indoor areas to reduce dehydration.
• Use a personal water mister or lightly moisten your mouth before and during activity to ease dryness and make breathing more comfortable.
• Choose hydrating foods beforehand or afterward: Watermelon, cucumber, and oranges are healthy and hydrating snacks.
  
  

• Travel & On-the-Go

 

Travel can be tough when you have dry mouth. Airplanes, long drives, high altitudes, and climate changes all tend to dry out the air, while the disruption of routines makes it easy to forget your usual relief strategies. A little planning ahead, however, can make all the difference.

To stay comfortable while traveling:

 

• Pack sugar-free lozenges or chewing gum in your bag for quick, discreet relief.
• Bring an empty water bottle through airport security and fill it once you’re past the checkpoint.
• Choose water, seltzer, or other hydrating drinks over coffee, alcohol, or soda, which can make dryness worse.
  
  

Careful Planning Leads to Improved Dry Mouth Treatment and Management

Managing xerostomia is not just about reacting to symptoms, it’s about anticipating challenges before they arise. By planning ahead for various situations, you can minimize discomfort and stay in control. Whether at home, at work, or on the go, advance preparation, coupled with a comprehensive dry mouth treatment plan, can ensure that this condition doesn’t take over your life.

 

Ready to feel the difference? Visit www.saliwell.com to see how the SaliPen can help you regain comfort and confidence throughout your daily activities

 

FAQs

 

Is xerostomia a fancy term for feeling thirsty?

No! Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is much more than feeling thirsty. It’s a medical condition in which the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. Xerostomia can’t be treated by drinking more water — usually, clinical interventions are necessary. 

 

What are the best dry mouth treatments?

There are several effective dry mouth treatments, including the SaliPen, medications, and saliva substitutes. Since every person’s medical situation is different, it’s important to speak with a medical professional to achieve the best possible personalized treatment plan. 

 

How does the SaliPen work?
The SaliPen sends gentle electrical impulses to the oral cavity, stimulating  the salivary glands to produce more saliva. 

 

Are saliva substitutes effective?
Yes, saliva substitutes (sprays, gels, lozenges, and sugar-free gum) can provide rapid relief and make eating, speaking, and swallowing more comfortable — but they don’t address the root cause of the condition.

 

Can medications effectively treat dry mouth? 

Certain prescription medications, such as pilocarpine or cevimeline, can stimulate saliva production. These are typically effective but often have unpleasant side effects like dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, heart problems, and more. 

 

Can combining treatments improve dry mouth relief?
Yes. Using the SaliPen along with medications, saliva substitutes, and lifestyle adjustments often provides the best results. Talk to your doctor about the right combination for you.

 

How does planning ahead make dry mouth easier to manage?
Understanding what makes dry mouth symptoms worse in various situations, and taking measures to prevent this from happening, can improve symptoms and alleviate discomfort.