The only permanent way to cure dry mouth is to treat its cause. If your dry mouth is the result of medication, your doctor might change your prescription or your dosage. If your salivary glands are not working properly but still produce some saliva, your doctor might give you a medicine that helps the glands work better.
If the cause of your dry mouth cannot be eliminated, or until it can be, you can restore moisture to your mouth a number of different ways. Your dentist may recommend mouth moisturisers, such as a saliva substitute. Rinsing with mouthwashes specially formulated to help dry mouth may also bring relief. You can also:
- Sip water or sugarless drinks often
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea and some sodas, which can cause the mouth to dry out
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless boiled sweets to stimulate saliva flow (if some salivary gland function exists)
- Don't use tobacco or alcohol, which dry out the mouth
- Be aware that spicy or salty foods can cause pain in a dry mouth
- Use a humidifier at night