Dry Mouth? Does it feel like your mouth is full of cotton balls? Wake up at night feeling like you are in the desert?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can be uncomfortable but can often be managed with a few simple solutions:

1. Stay Hydrated: Drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.

2. Use Sugar-Free Gum or Lozenges: Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free lozenges can stimulate saliva production.

3. Use a Humidifier: Especially at night, a humidifier can help keep moisture in the air, which may alleviate dryness.

4. Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Tobacco: These substances can dry out your mouth, so limit their use.

5. Mouth Rinses: There are saliva substitutes or mouthwashes specifically designed for dry mouth, which can help moisten the mouth.

6. Breathing Through the Nose: Breathing through your mouth can exacerbate dryness, so try to breathe through your nose as much as possible.

7. Adjust Medications: If a medication is causing dry mouth, consult your doctor for alternatives or ways to manage it.

8. Eat Moist Foods: Soft, moist foods such as soups, stews, and fruits can help reduce discomfort. Avoid dry or salty foods that might worsen the condition.

9. Saliva-Stimulating Products: There are various products available, like oral sprays or lozenges, designed to help stimulate saliva production.

   
   

If dry mouth persists, it's important to consult a Speech Therapist, as it could indicate an underlying health condition. Here is the fastest way to reach our team: https://www.capeconciergept.com/contact

What about the opposite end of the spectrum? Too much saliva can be just as difficult to manage.

Excessive saliva, or sialorrhea, can be uncomfortable but can often be managed through several approaches, depending on the underlying cause. Here are some potential solutions:

1. Practice Swallowing More Often: Increased awareness of swallowing and making a conscious effort to swallow more frequently may help manage excessive saliva.

2. Use Medications:

3. Anticholinergic Drugs: Medications like atropine or scopolamine can reduce saliva production. However, they come with side effects, so they should be used under a doctor’s guidance.

   • Botox Injections: In some cases, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the salivary glands can reduce saliva production.

4. Adjust Positioning: Sitting or standing upright can help with saliva control. Lying down or reclining may increase the production or pooling of saliva.

5. Oral Motor Therapy: Some people benefit from speech therapy that focuses on strengthening the muscles involved in swallowing and managing oral control.

6. Dietary Adjustments:

7. Avoid Trigger Foods: Spicy, sour, or acidic foods can sometimes increase saliva production, so avoiding these might help.

   • Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Oddly enough, chewing sugar-free gum can sometimes help in balancing saliva production by promoting swallowing and oral control.

8. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene: In some cases, poor oral hygiene or dental issues can contribute to increased saliva production. Regular brushing and dental check-ups are important.

9. Use a Saliva Absorbent Product: There are products like oral swabs or disposable saliva absorbent pads that can help manage saliva buildup, especially during the night.

10. Address Underlying Conditions: If the excessive saliva is related to an underlying condition like Parkinson's disease, neurological issues, or medication side effects, treating or adjusting the management of that condition may alleviate symptoms.

11. Surgical Options: In rare cases, surgical intervention to remove or block the salivary glands may be considered for severe cases of excessive saliva.

    
    

If excessive salivation is persistent or disruptive, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the root cause and explore treatment options. Please reach out to our team: https://www.capeconciergept.com/contact.