diet - Dry Mouth Alternative Remedies

Dry Mouth Alternative Remedies

by R. Drysdale

If you suffer from xerostomia, or dry mouth, it seems to make sense to most people look for dry mouth alternative remedies. Perhaps this is because we don't take the condition all that seriously: like dry skin or dry hair, it's just another challenge for daily self-care that one must deal with. Xerostomia, however can be very uncomfortable, can affect daily life and health, and can be caused by more serious medical conditions or drugs. It's important to find out what is causing the condition before selecting a remedy: the best remedy may be a cure for something else!

Prescription medication for dry mouth is available, and is often prescribed by dentists, or by medical specialists who are treating the underlying causes of xerostomia. Some of the prescribed drugs are specifically targeted at known causes, for instance, if the xerostomia is caused by radiation for cancer, a radioprotectant drug may be used. Some other drugs simply stimulate the salivary glands to work harder, so it's

important to choose a prescription medication for dry mouth with the help of an experienced professional. Depending on the circumstances, you may want to try dry mouth alternative remedies first, but be sure to discuss it with your health care specialist.

There are a few simple measures you can take to lessen the discomfort of xerostomia. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol. Avoid tobacco products. Drinks lots of water and fruit juice, sip water throughout the day, and use an artificial saliva product if you wish. Rinse your mouth after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth with a moist soft-bristle toothbrush and floss regularly. Use sugarless gum and hard candy (sugar promotes tooth decay but having a candy in the mouth stimulates saliva flow). Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night. If these easy tactics don't work, try other dry mouth alternative remedies.

Anything that will stimulate the flow of saliva will combat xerostomia. Some herbs and herbal preparations are

known to be particularly effective, and are recommended as dry mouth alternative remedies. Chinese green tea, a tea that is frequently valued for its other possible healthy properties, is a pleasant one that you can try. Chamomile (also sometimes taken as a tea) and ginger are other possibilities. Some of the herbal blends are available from alternative medicine suppliers. Again, because these are not prescription medication for dry mouth, you can get them without a doctor's okay, but a professional diagnosis is still important.

Other dry mouth alternative remedies include acupuncture and dietary adjustments. Consult your local alternative medicine practitioner for more details on these approaches.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Dry Mouth Alternative Remedies, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.

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