14 Effective Home Remedies For Dry Mouth

Think about this: You’re prepared to offer excellent ideas at a crucial meeting, but your mouth feels dry. You struggle to talk as dryness sets in, and your words stumble. Or maybe you are eating, but it feels like sandpaper in every bite. Doesn’t it sound annoying?

Dry mouth is a disorder that interferes with life’s most basic pleasures, such as enjoying your favorite dish or talking with friends. It signals that something in your body needs attention.

Your saliva protects your oral and general health and keeps your mouth moist. A dry mouth can result in digestive problems, dental decay, and foul breath if left untreated.

This article offers 14 effective home remedies to help you eliminate dry mouth quickly and effectively. 

What is Dry Mouth?

When the mouth’s salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva to keep it moist, it’s known as dry mouth or xerostomia. It’s common to have a dry mouth occasionally. For example, when you are dehydrated, your mouth becomes dry.

However, persistent dry mouth, which occurs when your mouth is constantly dry, may indicate a medical issue. Xerostomia is typically a side effect of various drugs, such as decongestants, antihistamines, and some antidepressants.

Some people find dry mouth bothersome. For others, dry mouth can significantly impact gum and tooth health and overall health. Additionally, it may impact people’s eating habits and level of enjoyment.

Read More: 12 Ways To Heal Cracked Corners Of Mouth – Recover From The Pain! 

Causes of Dry Mouth?

The main cause of dry mouth is the lack of proper functionality of the salivary glands. This lack results in less or no saliva production, which makes the mouth and oral cavity dry and rough.

Several reasons arrest the functions, often related to the person’s age or the circumstances surrounding them.

Some of the primary reasons for the lack of functionality of the salivary glands include:

• Certain drugs.
• Underlying medical issues.
• Radiation treatment, particularly for cancers of the head and neck.
• Medications used in chemotherapy.
• Breathing through the mouth. 

Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is characterized by a number of distinct symptoms, which make it easy for people to track its onset. When these symptoms persist for a long period of time, you need to seek professional medical help because your salivary glands are most likely not working properly.

Some symptoms of dry mouth include:

• Dryness or a sticky sensation in the mouth.
• Saliva that appears stringy and thick.
• Foul breath.
• Having trouble speaking, swallowing, and chewing.
• A tingling or burning feeling in the mouth, particularly on the tongue.
• A raw tongue, red and dry.
• Dry nasal passages, painful throat, and hoarseness.
• A modified sense of taste. 

How to Treat Dry Mouth?

Following head and neck radiation therapy or specific medications, over 80% of cancer patients have xerostomia or dry mouth. During sleep, patients may have dry mouth in particular. You can take a few actions to alleviate dry mouth. In addition to these suggestions, there are other actions you may do to safeguard your oral health, which could help your dry mouth.

• Drink water frequently all day.
• Place something in the mouth that triggers natural salivation. Flavors that aren’t acidic or annoying include citrus, cinnamon, and mint. Look for sugarless gum with baking soda, sold at many neighborhood pharmacies, and aloe, xylitol, glycerin, or other moisturizing ingredients.
• Drink water in between meals. Including sauces, gravies, soups, and condiments might also be beneficial.
• Alcohol-containing mouthwashes might induce dry mouth, so avoid using them.
• If you’re not sensitive to xylitol, try a mouthwash explicitly made for dry mouth, like ACT Dry Mouth Mouthwash, Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, or bioXtra Dry Mouth Ultra Mild Mouthrinse.
• Instead of using your mouth to breathe, use your nose.
• At night, use a room humidifier to provide moisture to the air. 

Home Remedies for Dry Mouth

Dry mouth can be a medical issue or a situational problem. To treat dry mouth at home, try some of the home remedies listed below. 

1. Stay Hydrated at All Times

Drinking lots of water is the best way to replenish lost hydration from the body. Treating your dry mouth with a regular intake of a sufficient quantity of water accounts for one of the easiest and best home remedies (R). Be sure to drink the water in check and not overdo it because even overdoing something can have adverse effects. 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the best natural remedies for dry mouth is apple cider vinegar. You can consume a teaspoon in its raw state or mix it in a glass of water. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties in apple cider vinegar (R) help treat dry mouth. 

Read More: Metallic Taste In Mouth – Know The Causes And How To Prevent It 

3. Baking Soda Rinse

Yet another dry mouth remedy is baking soda. Its neutralizing property helps cure the acidic environment of the oral cavity. If you have been persistently suffering from dry mouth, mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it at regular intervals. This keeps the oral cavity moist and clean. 

4. Edible Oils

Some people with dry mouths find it helpful to hold a few teaspoons of coconut or sesame oil in their mouth for ten to fifteen minutes without swallowing. Based on the “oil pulling” method of Ayurveda treatment, this home remedy is a safe traditional practice for modern times. This natural remedy works because the oil coats and soothes sore areas while also cleaning the mouth. 

5. Root of Marshmallow

In traditional herbal medicine, marshmallow root has long been used to relieve dryness because of its moisturizing qualities. It moisturizes and coats oral tissues, just like aloe vera does. Research also shows it is a natural cure for dry mouth, especially when paired with a closely related Alcea digitata. 

6. Ginger

Research shows how beneficial ginger is as a natural herbal sialagogue—a chemical known to increase saliva production. Its active ingredients, such as gingerol, enhance oral health and increase salivary flow. Including ginger in your diet—chewing raw slices or making teas—can help prevent dry mouth. 

Read More: Clove Oil for Dry Socket – Is It Effective? 

7. Chamomile

In addition to its well-known relaxing effects, chamomile is a natural treatment for dry mouth. A warm cup of chamomile tea can successfully promote saliva production, relieve dryness, and provide hydration. Chamomile, high in antioxidants, also supports dental health and general relaxation. 

8. Enhancing Dental Hygiene

Good oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing daily and washing your mouth with water or mouthwash after meals to help remove food particles. You could also use a tongue scraper to reduce bacteria on the tongue and enhance dental health. 

9. Sweet Pepper

Researchers have discovered that this colorful and nutrient-dense vegetable relieves dry mouth. Its capacity to increase salivation, which aids in the mouth’s natural moisturizing process, is emphasized. Including sweet peppers in your diet helps fight dryness and gives you vital vitamins for good health. 

Read More: 10 Effective Ways To Treat Tongue Problems 

10. Spilanthes

The “toothache plant,” Spilanthes (Spilanthes acmella), is well known for its positive effects on dental health. It has long been used as a natural sialagogue to relieve dry mouth by efficiently increasing saliva production. It is a valuable herb for preserving dental health because of its distinct tingling sensation, which also relaxes mouth tissues. 

11. Over-the-Counter Items

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) products contain medications or artificial saliva. To prevent dry mouth or increase saliva production, compared to more potent prescription treatments, these typically have less severe effects and may offer short-term relief. Lozenges, sprays, mouthwashes, and other over-the-counter products are available for dry mouth. 

12. Fluoride Toothpaste

Using fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth helps prevent cavities and fight dry mouth by preserving oral moisture and fortifying enamel. To improve saliva production, avoid discomfort from dryness, and maintain the health and hydration of your teeth and gums, use a high fluoride toothpaste and brush twice daily. 

13. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera leaf juice or gel is a natural moisturizer that moisturizes and calms the mouth, making it an excellent treatment for dry mouth. In addition to relieving dryness, aloe vera juice helps shield delicate oral tissues from irritation. Including store-bought aloe vera juice in your daily routine is a simple and efficient natural remedy for dry mouth. 

14. Cactus Nopal

A mainstay of traditional Mexican medicine and food, the nopal cactus, often called prickly pear cactus, is currently receiving international prominence in medicine. Rich in hydrating qualities, it has been shown in a study to help reduce hyposalivation or dry mouth, making it a healthy and natural treatment for dry mouth.

Read More: 10 Ways To Revive Your Taste Buds 

When to See a Doctor?

Although you can usually control periodic dry mouth with home remedies, expert care is necessary in certain situations.

If you have chronic dryness that doesn’t go away, trouble swallowing, cracked lips that get worse over time, or extreme discomfort that interferes with your day-to-day activities, it’s time to see a doctor.

Prolonged dry mouth may indicate underlying conditions like diabetes or adverse drug reactions that need medical attention.

Medical practitioners can provide specific remedies, such as drugs that increase saliva production or substitutes that simulate natural moisture. Addressing the underlying cause—such as changing your medication or taking care of an underlying condition—may be required in certain situations. In addition to reducing symptoms, prompt treatment guards against long-term harm to your teeth, gums, and general oral health. 

FAQs 

1. Is Dry Mouth Bad For Your Teeth?

Indeed, dry mouth can damage teeth by decreasing saliva, which is essential for removing bacteria and food particles. This makes gum disease, fungal infections, and tooth decay more likely. 

2. Why do I wake up with a dry mouth in the morning?

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can be caused by several things, including dehydration and sleeping with one’s mouth open. These drugs inhibit salivation or can be caused by underlying medical disorders like diabetes or sleep apnea. 

3. Is Dry Mouth A Symptom Of Pregnancy?

One of the most prevalent oral health problems during pregnancy is dry mouth. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that pregnancy-related hormonal changes can result in dry mouth. Oral alterations can occur during pregnancy due to increased progesterone and estrogen, blood flow, and mouth acidity. 

4. Is Dry Mouth A Sign of Heart Attack?

If you are experiencing sharp chest pains, shortness of breath, and dry mouth, it is a sign of a heart attack. However, dry mouth is not significantly a sign of a heart attack. It is best to know the symptoms so you can administer the correct dry mouth treatment.

Conclusion

Treating dry mouth as soon as possible is critical for comfort and general dental health. Persistent dry mouth can result in more severe problems, including cavities, gum disease, and even difficulty speaking and swallowing. Fortunately, you can discover long-lasting comfort and enhance your well-being with natural therapies and easy lifestyle changes.

Keep in mind that minor adjustments can significantly impact oral health and hydration. Tell us about your experiences getting relief from dry mouth! Please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas or solutions. Remember to share this article with others who might find these recommendations useful if you found it helpful. Your comments and sharing can contribute to the development of a supportive community! 

• May 2018
  Written by Somapika D
• Jan 2025
  Edited by Ankita