What helps against dry mouth?

The most important points in brief

• A dry mouth is an uncomfortable thing if it's not just a passing phenomenon.
• The xerostomia, as the technical term is, can last longer.
• If that is the case, then there are usually underlying causes that need to be named quite specifically.
• There is quick help against dry mouth - and there are even some home remedies among them that are actually always available.

Do you often feel that your mouth is dry from the crowds for no obvious reason such as a cold? If there is no infection, it can of course still happen that the oral mucosa does not work properly, but this should subside within a short time. If the mouth stays dry longer, there are other reasons.

Symptoms of dry mouth

A dry mouth is nothing unusual or questionable at first. It is often enough to drink a sufficient amount of fluids. However, when the symptoms are a bit more severe, a few sips of water usually won't do the trick. It is not uncommon for one to have a bad taste in the mouth, which is then perceived by other people as bad breath and which is not easy to get rid of.

But the xerostomia, i.e. the dry mouth, can also be presented differently. It is not uncommon for oral wounds to be found that cannot be explained, and severe burning sensations on the tongue or in the entire oral cavity can be symptoms. Torn corners of the mouth (which also burn painfully) can also be a result of the xerostomia. The feeling of a mouth full of wool can also be a symptom that makes swallowing, eating, and talking difficult. But what is the possible cause of xerostomia?

Reasons for the dry mouth

It is almost always a lack of saliva that is responsible for the dry mouth. The easiest to identify cause of a lack of saliva is the undersupply of water that occurs after strenuous exercise if you do not drink enough. A permanently increased consumption of coffee and especially alcohol can lead to mild to moderate xerostomia.

In addition to dehydration, a lack of vitamins can also lead to a permanently dry mouth - and that with regular saliva formation. In return, the oral mucosa is affected even more. Last but not least, a number of diseases are often the cause of dry mouth, such as leukemia, anemia, diabetes and others. Cancer patients who receive radiation therapy are also more often affected, as the therapy can destroy the salivary glands.

Home remedies with which you can fight dry mouth

The bad news first: permanent xerostomia is bad for your teeth. Acids and bacteria in the mouth are not diluted and attack gums, tooth enamel and teeth. But the good news follows: There are plenty of home remedies that - with regular use - effectively combat dry mouth.

Lots of water with as few acidic juices as possible and frequent chewing of chewing gum to stimulate saliva production usually help. You can also use special toothpaste, mouthwashes or sprays to help keep the oral cavity moist. In addition, the regular intake of vitamins of all kinds is enormously helpful in stopping the xerostomia; however, vitamin C and the B vitamins are particularly valuable. And last but not least, you should avoid dry room air by hanging up freshly washed laundry or using a humidifier.