HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Dry Mouth
WHY YOUR MOUTH IS DRY Age. About 1 in 5 older adults suff er
from dry mouth, or xerostomia, a condition in which the mouth’s salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is especially important to oral health because it kills germs and guards against tooth decay and gum disease. Medications. Hundreds of drugs
can cause dry mouth, including many over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines, decongestants, and muscle relaxants. Drugs taken to treat depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, and pain can also be at fault. Cancer therapy. Chemotherapy drugs can reduce the amount of saliva your salivary glands produce, but the change may be temporary. Radiation treatments to the head and neck can reduce saliva, and this side eff ect can be temporary, or permanent. Nerve damage. Damage to
the day — at least eight glasses. Limit caff eine. Caff eine in coff ee
and soft drinks can make your mouth drier. Use over-the-counter saliva
substitutes. There are many brands available, and experts often recommend those containing xylitol, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse or ACT Dry Mouth Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash, which also off er protection against the tooth decay that often accompanies dry mouth. Use a room
older adults suff er from dry mouth, or xerostomia, a condition in which the mouth’s salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.
1 in 5
nerves in the neck or head caused by injury or surgery can cause dry mouth. Dehydration. If your body isn’t
hydrated, it can’t produce enough saliva. Sleeping habits. Sleeping with your
mouth open can increase dry mouth. Lifestyle. Tobacco, alcohol, and
recreational drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamines can reduce saliva.
WHAT TO DO Drink water. Keep your body
hydrated by sipping water throughout 86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | APRIL 2023
humidifier. The moisture provided by a humidifi er, especially at night, will help mitigate dry mouth. Breathe
through your nose. Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth will help retain moisture in
your mouth. Chew sugar-
free gum. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva.
Limit antihistamines. Over-
the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms. Spice up your food. Add cayenne or
other spices, known to stimulate the salivary glands, to your food or chew fennel seeds and cardamom. Enjoy sweet peppers. Sweet
peppers promote salivation that will ease dry mouth, so add them to salads, vegetable trays, or just slice and eat. Take prickly pear cactus. Nopal
cactus, also known as prickly pear cactus, is a traditional Mexican food and medicine that reduces dry
Acupuncture Eff ective Against Dry Mouth
S
everal studies have found that acupuncture, a form of traditional
Chinese medicine, can bring relief from dry mouth. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into targeted areas to influence energy flow, control pain, and stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. A study published in the BMC Complementary Medicine Journal found acupuncture stimulated the saliva-making area of the brain in healthy adults. In other research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, people who developed dry mouth after radiation for head and neck cancers found lasting relief using acupuncture, and those with the most severe cases improved the most. In addition, a recent randomized Phase II trial published in JAMA Network Open found acupuncture improved dry mouth symptoms. “We can add acupuncture to the list for the prevention and treatment of xerostomia,” said study author Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D.
mouth. It’s also available in capsules. Eat ginger. Many studies have
found that ginger stimulates the production of saliva.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS If your dry mouth continues, see your doctor, who will try to pinpoint the cause. If your problem is severe, you may be prescribed a medication such as pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) to boost the production of saliva.
Sources: WebMD;
healthline.com;
clevelandclinic.org;
mayoclinic.org; American Dental Association;
mskcc.org;
rxlist.com;
timesofindia.com; and
hopkinsmedicine.org
MOUTH/VIKTORIIA ABLOHINA©ISTOCK / ACUPUNCTURE/SAMUEL PERALES CARRASCO©ISTOCK
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