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How to manage dry mouth
Find out what’s behind dry mouth, and what you can do to get comfort.
Let’s talk spit. It might not be a polite topic for the dinner table, but it plays an important role in keeping your teeth healthy. Here are answers to some common questions we hear about dry mouth — and how to find relief.
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What’s dry mouth?
Dry mouth (whose fancy name is xerostomia) is a common but uncomfortable feeling when there’s not enough saliva in your mouth. It happens when saliva production is dramatically reduced, making it difficult to keep your mouth hydrated.1
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
Trouble tasting, chewing, swallowing, or speaking
A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth or throat
Cracked lips
A dry, rough tongue
Mouth sores
Burning in the mouth or throat3
What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth has a wide range of causes, from prescription medicines to lifestyle habits. Medication is the most common culprit — over 400 frequently prescribed drugs list dry mouth as a common side effect.1 It can also be caused by medical conditions like diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and other autoimmune diseases, as well as medical treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.2 And sometimes in life — whether it's triggered by stress or causes unknown — dry mouth just happens.
Can dry mouth affect your health?
Believe it or not, saliva is a powerful ally when it comes to fighting tooth decay.1 It’s your body’s own first line of defense, continuously bathing those pearly whites in calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. Without proper saliva production, you’re at higher risk of getting cavities and gingivitis (gum disease) — not to mention bad breath.1,4
So if you’re experiencing dry mouth symptoms, it’s important to visit your dentist to determine the cause and a treatment plan.
Dry mouth dos and don'ts
DO3
Drink water or sugarless drinks throughout the day
Chew on sugar-free gum or lozenges
Sip water while you eat to aid in chewing and swallowing
Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night
DON’T3
Use tobacco or drink alcohol
Drink beverages with caffeine
Eat spicy or salty food
Eat sugary or sticky foods
How can ACT® help?
Now for the good news. At ACT®, we’ve created a suite of products to help manage dry mouth symptoms. Each one is like a thirst-quenching oasis in a dry-mouth desert.
ACT® Dry Mouth Mouthwash soothes dry mouth symptoms with seven hydrating moisturizers — all while freshening your breath with a pleasing mint flavor.
For convenient dry mouth comfort on the go, try ACT® Dry Mouth Gum and ACT® Dry Mouth Lozenges.
References
1. American Dental Association, Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). ada.org/resources
2. Douglas L. Managing Xerostomia. Vital 6, 32-34 (1 March 2009). nature.com
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Dry Mouth Questions and Answers. nidcr.nih.gov
4. Mouth Healthy, 4 Reasons Water Is the Best Beverage for Your Teeth. mouthhealthy.org
