5 Home Remedies To Relieve Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, a condition called xerostomia, according to this study carried out by the University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas (Cuba), is a frequent discomfort caused by an alteration in the functioning of the salivary glands. It is characterized by a decrease in saliva production or a change in its composition that significantly alters its pH.
It can be caused by a lack of fluid in the body, although it also manifests itself as a consequence of some illnesses. Although not usually a serious problem, it causes tissue cracks, swallowing difficulties, and other uncomfortable symptoms that require treatment.
Fortunately, in addition to your doctor’s recommendations, you can use some home remedies to relieve dry mouth and speed your recovery.
Why do we feel dry mouth?
It is important to clarify the main factors associated with the appearance of this problem.
The most common ones include:
- Excessive tobacco consumption. This is what this study carried out by the University of Barcelona claims.
- Changes in nerves or emotional stress, as this research by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research assures.
- Consumption of some medications, such as anticholinergics, psychoactive medications or antihistamines.
- Medical treatments like chemotherapy, according to the University of Santiago de Compostela, as well as autoimmune or salivary gland diseases.
- Breathing through the mouth, which usually leads to snoring.
dry mouth symptoms
The main symptom of dry mouth is a significant decrease in saliva production . However, discomfort may arise:
- Mouth lesions or chapped lips.
- Sensation of dryness in the oral cavity.
- Hoarseness or dryness in the throat.
- Bad breath or burning in the tongue or mouth.
- Difficulty in swallowing food.
Home remedies to relieve dry mouth
The properties of some natural ingredients can neutralize moisture loss that occurs due to decreased saliva.
In addition, by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth, these remedies can also help prevent infections.
1. Green tea
The tannins contained in green tea help treat mouth problems, as stated in this study by the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez. However, as the results are ambiguous and somewhat contradictory, we recommend that you seek an expert first.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of green tea (5 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of boiling water and cover. Let it sit for 10 minutes and strain through a sieve. Drink up to 2 cups of green tea a day, until dry mouth improves.
2. Chamomile
Following this study carried out by the National University of Loja, chamomile acts as a natural moisturizer for the mouth and helps restore the pH of saliva. Furthermore, it is anti-inflammatory, according to this research by the Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Victória de Girón”.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of chamomile (5 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
Pour a teaspoon of chamomile into a cup of boiling water and cover. Wait 5 minutes to rest and strain.
Drink up to 3 cups of chamomile tea a day. In addition, it is recommended to repeat the treatment until the problem is controlled.
3. Aloe vera juice
It is believed that the mucilage contained in the aloe vera gel can help protect the oral tissue and taste buds from the reduction of saliva. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (75 g)
- ½ cup of water (125 ml)
- 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g)
Preparation
Add all ingredients in a blender and process until you get a smooth drink. Drink a glass of aloe vera juice on an empty stomach and, if necessary, drink it again in the middle of the afternoon.
It is worth mentioning that this remedy should not be consumed in excess because it has a mild laxative effect. In this way, it should not be abused.
4. Apple vinegar
The organic acids contained in apple cider vinegar are believed to help regulate the pH of the mouth and stimulate salivation. However, there is still no scientific evidence to confirm this assertion.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
Dilute apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. Drink the drink twice a day, until you restore the natural moisture in your mouth.
5. Ginger
Ginger regulates the activity of the salivary glands thanks to its aperitif capacity.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger (5 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation
Pour the grated ginger into a cup of boiling water and cover the drink. Let stand for 15 minutes and strain before consuming.
It is advisable to drink the drink in sips, moisturizing the entire mouth while consuming. You can drink up to 2 cups a day, until the problem is controlled.
