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Having a dry mouth is never fun, but the cold winter months can make it even worse. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth can lead to a host other issues, including:
- Constant thirst
- Sore throat
- Cracked lips
- Mouth sores
Having a persistently dry mouth can cause even more serious issues; the chances of suffering from tooth decay are increased when your mouth is very dry, because food particles are more likely to linger in this scenario. Acids can also become more concentrated in a dry mouth, which can contribute to gum disease.
Here are some simple ways to combat dry mouth:
Drink water
For healthy saliva production, water is the way to go. Staying hydrated is instrumental in preventing dry mouth.
Avoid excess caffeine
Your morning coffee might give you a boost of energy to tackle your day, but it’s also a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration.
Avoid excess salt
Keep an eye on the sodium content of your packaged foods, because salt can be quite a hindrance to keeping your mouth lubricated.
Chew sugar-free gum
Gum and mints encourage saliva production to help stave off dryness.
Don’t breathe through your mouth
Breathing through the mouth is another culprit, so it’s best to breathe through your nose as much as possible. If you have any difficulty in doing so, particularly while sleeping, it’s possible that you have a sleep or sinus issue that needs remedying.
If the options above don’t seem to be doing the trick, speak with a medical professional; certain conditions and medications may also play a role in an excessively dry mouth.
