Managing dry mouth

Oral care

• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to remove plaque and debris. Use a mouth brush (such as MouthEze) if needed.
• Rinse the mouth with an alcohol-free, moisturizing mouthwash specifically designed for dry mouth.
• Keep up with regular dentist appointments for necessary care, if possible. Some dentists are able to undertake home visits or refer to one who can.

‍Hydration and moisture

• Sip on water frequently throughout the day and maintain a good fluid intake. Sucking on crushed ice or ice chips can work if water is difficult.
• Limit or avoid substances that can contribute to dehydration, such as caffeine, alcohol or food that is dry or hard to chew.
• Serve moist and soft foods, such as soups, porridge, pasta, scrambled eggs, jelly, or pureed fruits. Add gravies and sauces to meals.
• Avoid acidic food and drinks, such as sodas, carbonated drinks, or orange juice.
• Reduce or quit smoking.
• Place a humidifier in the room, this adds moisture to the air and and can alleviate dryness in the mouth and throat.

‍Stimulate saliva production and softening

• Chew sugar-free gum, but limit this to ten minutes at a time as it can have a drying effect.
• Suck on sugar-free sweets or candies to stimulate saliva production.
• Include sour or tart foods in the diet, such as lemon drops or sugar-free lemon sweets, as they can trigger saliva production.
• Use saliva substitutes or oral moisturizing gels recommended by the healthcare team.
• Oral sponges can be useful for moistening the lips and removing dry or stringy saliva. Replace these regularly.
• To loosen up thick or stringy saliva, rinse the mouth with a home made mixture of 0.5 liters of water, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp table salt.

If you are unsure about what is causing or how to manage dry mouth, speak to your nurse or doctor, they can advise how to best manage it.