There are many signs that point to the fact that you might suffer from chronic dry mouth. If you have trouble keeping saliva in your mouth, have difficulty or experience pain chewing food, or have a chronically sore throat, chances are you suffer from chronic dry mouth. Dry mouth is a problem because saliva can help you fight off bacteria and is instrumental in breaking down food and helping it pass into the digestive system with ease. If you suffer from dry mouth, there are certain ways you can go about coping with it. 

Dietary Habits

One of the best ways to cope with dry mouth is to adjust your dietary habits. The first thing that you should do is make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Dehydration is the most common cause of dry mouth.

If your dry mouth is temporary or caused by medication, it is recommended that you carry a bottle of water with you at all times and sip it whenever you get a chance. Doctors generally recommend drinking 12 8-ounce glasses of water per day, so try to consume that much or more. Avoid caffeinated beverages whenever you can.

Caffeinated beverages are a diuretic, which means they are a drink that promotes fluid loss, rather than retaining fluids. For this reason alone, you should avoid teas, soda, and coffee if you are suffering from dry mouth. Make sure that you eat plenty of sour foods, as they will promote your saliva production from your salivary glands and, in addition, citrus based foods will help increase your intake of vitamin C, which is closely linked to promoting your saliva glands as well!

Control Your Symptoms

There are numerous ways you can control your symptoms. Make sure that your oral hygiene is in top shape. Poor oral hygiene can cause your mouth to become dry due to the amount of bacteria that will build up in your mouth. Make sure that you visit your dentist for regular check ups and cleanings, that you brush your teeth after each meal and floss frequently, and finally, that you avoid sugary foods and drinks.

Over-the-counter oral rinses can also help towards ridding your mouth of bacteria that can prevent you saliva glands from working to their fullest potential. Make sure that the rinse that you are using is alcohol free, as alcohol can serve to worsen the condition of your dry mouth. If you decide to chew gum or eat candies, make sure that they are all sugar free.

Sugar can wind up promoting bacteria, which will only worsen the condition of dry mouth. Over-the-counter saliva substitutes come in many forms, as well, including sprays. These can be convenient temporary solutions for those who suffer from extreme dry mouth.

See A Medical Professional

If you believe that your dry mouth issue is becoming far too difficult to control or maintain, seek the services of either a doctor or dentist. Discuss your full medical history with your doctor or dentist and be sure to mention any at-home remedies you have used in an attempt to prevent dry mouth. Dry mouth itself might be indicative of a much greater problem. Among these problems include diabetes, Sjorgen's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Sicca syndrome, numerous forms of radiation therapy and the overuse of medication.

Dry mouth can be an annoying, persistent issue. It can also be indicative of a much greater problem with your oral health. If the problem with dry mouth persists, contact a professional dentist, such as those found at http://www.childrensdent.com, to figure out the underlining cause of your dry mouth.