Options for Managing Chronic Dry Mouth

Chronic dry mouth is a recognized medical condition with a variety of potential causes. Reduced saliva production can cause chronic bad breath and increases the chances of developing tooth decay.

There are several medications with dry mouth as a side effect. If you suspect your dry mouth issue is related to one or more medications, you should talk to your doctor about your options. In some instances, there are a few lifestyle choices and habits that can mitigate the problem. This includes sipping water frequently, chewing sugar-free gum or modifying your diet.

There are a few everyday things you can do to help combat dry mouth.

Try to cut back on things like caffeine, alcohol and tobacco use as they can cause a reduction in saliva production and contribute to dry mouth. Certain over the counter decongestants and antihistamines, can also contribute to dry mouth. Talk to your physician about alternative medications.

If you use alcohol or tobacco on a regular basis you should talk to your physician about a cessation or rehabilitation program. Both of these items are harmful to the mouth and your overall health.

Sipping water throughout the course of the day, and chewing sugar free gum adds fluids to the mouth and can help stimulate saliva production. While this isn’t a true long term solution it is something you can do to help mitigate problems like chronic bad breath and tooth decay caused by a dry mouth.

If you have issues with dry mouth, or you are struggling to manage dry mouth through lifestyle modification, please feel free to call us at 812-853-3313 to schedule an appointment.