The 10 Best Daily Habits to Reduce Dry Mouth Symptoms

Chronic dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a medical condition that typically requires clinical intervention. Drinking more water simply won’t cut it, because the root of dry mouth isn’t dehydration, but malfunctioning salivary glands. However, drinking water and other daily habits, together with clinical intervention, can form a winning combination to effectively treat dry mouth.

Clinical dry mouth intervention often takes the form of pills, but Saliwell offers a drug-free approach: SaliPen is a dry mouth treatment device that encourages natural saliva production, while SaliVance is an oral dryness aid that can complement clinical intervention such as medication, the SaliPen, or both.

Dry mouth treatment might seem straightforward but can be complicated by a person’s medical history, medical conditions, and current medication use. That’s why a multifaceted treatment approach often works best.

Below are 10 daily habits that can improve dry mouth management, especially when combined with clinical dry mouth treatment.

10 Daily Habits to Boost Dry Mouth Treatment

Here are 10 simple daily habits that can complement dry mouth treatment and help manage xerostomia more effectively.

1. Drink water throughout the day
   Drinking water might seem like a no-brainer, but many of us can easily forget to drink when we’re busy juggling work, family, social activities, and more. With dry mouth, it’s not enough to drink when your mouth feels dry; you should be drinking throughout the day. For example, you can set an alarm on the hour, every hour, to remind yourself to drink a cup of water. Drinking water with meals can also make dry foods easier to chew and swallow.
   Keep in mind that water isn’t a miracle cure for dry mouth, but it does form the basis for healthy saliva function. Clinical dry mouth treatments stimulate the saliva glands to produce more saliva; drinking enough water ensures that the salivary glands have the raw material to produce that saliva.
2. Use natural saliva stimulants
   Chronic dry mouth typically requires clinical intervention, but there are natural ways to stimulate the saliva glands as well, such as chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free lozenges. Brands with xylitol are ideal as studies also show that xylitol can be helpful in increasing saliva flow rates and reducing bacteria.
   Keep in mind that frequent gum chewing may lead to disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint near the ears where the upper and lower jaws meet. These disorders can be painful and may become irreversible.
3. Reduce caffeine intake
   Caffeine is a diuretic and can dry out the mouth. This doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite coffee or tea altogether, but be aware of how many cups you have, and switch to decaf when possible.
   When it comes to sugary caffeinated drinks, stay as far away as possible. People with dry mouth have less protection against cavities and other oral health problems, so drinking sugar is a big no-no. Sugar + caffeine is a risky combination and can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms, the opposite of what clinical dry mouth treatment tries to achieve.
4. Make your meals dry-mouth friendly
   Dry mouth can make it hard to chew and swallow, especially when it comes to foods like crackers, dry bread, tough meat, and other dry or coarse foods. Small changes can make mealtime much more comfortable. Add sauces, gravies, and dressings to dry foods, or stick with soft foods like soup, yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, and more. Taking smaller bites and chewing thoroughly can also help.
   Pay attention to foods that irritate your mouth as well. Spicy, salty, and acidic foods may cause discomfort or a burning sensation in people with dry mouth. You don’t necessarily need to eliminate them all, but if a particular food repeatedly causes discomfort, reducing it makes sense.
5. Practice excellent oral hygiene
   A lack of saliva impacts oral health directly, so it’s especially important for people with dry mouth to implement an excellent oral hygiene regimen. Make brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day a non-negotiable part of your routine, and clean between your teeth regularly. SaliVance, designed to promote oral wellness, is an excellent addition to the oral health routine of anyone with dry mouth.
   Additionally, schedule regular dental checkups and discuss symptoms with your dentist; dentists and oral health specialists often have firsthand experience treating dry mouth and its subsequent oral health challenges.
6. Avoid alcohol and tobacco
   Alcohol, like caffeine, is a diuretic and can reduce salivary flow and change saliva composition.  This is why many dentists recommend alcohol-free products for people with dry mouth. And tobacco products can directly affect oral tissue, not to mention the many other health risks they come with. Avoiding both of these substances increases the chances of clinical dry mouth treatment working effectively.
7. Watch your sugar intake
   Every time we consume sugary foods or drinks, oral bacteria can produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Normally, saliva helps wash sugars away and neutralize these acids. When saliva flow is reduced, that protective system is less effective, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
   This doesn’t mean you can never enjoy dessert, but it does mean you should limit sugary snacks and drinks. Being mindful of how often your teeth are exposed to sugar is an important part of protecting them.
8. Prepare for dry mouth at night
   For many people, dry mouth becomes particularly uncomfortable at night. Saliva production naturally decreases during sleep, and mouth breathing can make dryness feel even worse.
   Make comfortable sleeping conditions part of your dry mouth routine. Keep water beside your bed so you can take small sips if you wake with a dry mouth, and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, particularly if you sleep in an air-conditioned or heated room.
   If you regularly wake with severe dry mouth, talk to your doctor or dentist. Persistent nighttime dryness may sometimes be associated with sleep-related conditions that deserve further investigation.
9. Review medications with your doctor
   Medication is the most common cause of dry mouth. However, many medications are essential and can’t be given up. Sometimes, however, changing the brand or dose can reduce accompanying symptoms like dry mouth. It’s worthwhile to speak with your doctor or health care specialist to see whether a slight change can minimize dry mouth while still treating your condition effectively.
   (Never stop taking a prescribed medication because you suspect it is causing dry mouth. Always consult with your doctor or health care specialist before making any changes.)
10. Be consistent with your dry mouth treatment
    Dry mouth management works best when it becomes part of your everyday routine rather than something you think about only when symptoms become severe. This is true for medication, SaliPen, and any other treatment.
    Consistency also makes it easier to notice patterns. Pay attention to when your mouth feels driest, which foods or drinks make symptoms worse, whether nighttime dryness is a particular problem, and which strategies give you the most relief.

No Single Dry Mouth Treatment Works for Everyone

Xerostomia has different causes in different people, so there is no single routine that works perfectly for everyone. Generally, clinical treatments address the underlying cause of dry mouth, while everyday habits can help you get more from that treatment. Alone, each can only get you so far, but together, they can prove an effective management system for dry mouth.

Understanding your own triggers and consistently combining appropriate treatment with supportive daily habits can help you build a routine that works for you.