6. Be moderate in water drinking, but stay hydrated. “Dry mouth isn’t the same as thirst. Water … doesn’t lubricate the mouth or the throat. And what little saliva is present is swallowed along with the water,” Dr. Laing said. Instead, patients can try ice chips, which may be more beneficial given longer “staying power,” or an atomizer to spray water at the back of the throat.
7. Wear removable prostheses, day or night. Dr. Laing explained, “Being a prosthodontist, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about removable prostheses. Dentures that are fitted appropriately will cause some salivary flow via mechanical stimulation of the gums.9-14 Even a night guard or stabilization appliance—worn day or night—will help.”
8. Oil-pull with virgin coconut oil. “It’s been shown that oil pulling, a traditional folk remedy practiced in ancient India for oral ailments, can be helpful for dry mouth because it reduces the oral microbial load significantly after just three weeks,” Dr. Laing said. Oil pulling may also reduce gingivitis, brighten teeth and improve halitosis.15,16 To perform oil pulling, take about one-half teaspoon of solid virgin coconut oil, put it in the mouth, and swish it around (pull and push it through the teeth) for about 90 seconds.
9. Try commercially available remoisturizing or remineralizing aids. “The ‘bioXtra’ products—available for online purchase—are especially good because they have bioenzymes in them. ‘XyliMelts’ (Oral Science) are amazing for nighttime moisture. You just stick a disc on the gum above the upper molars,” Dr. Laing shared.
10. Massage the gums with a Curaprox or Plumasoft toothbrush, or Waterpik. Dr. Laing explained, “[Curaprox and Plumasoft] toothbrushes are extremely soft. Curaprox ones have the number 5460 on them, which indicates how many polyester bristles they have. If you brush them on the gums with no water or toothpaste, they’ll stimulate salivary flow. A Waterpik can do the same, while hydrating the mouth.”
Silver Diamine Fluoride
A talk from a dentist would be remiss without a comment on prevention of dental caries. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a minimally invasive treatment for dentine hypersensitivity and carious lesions.4 It’s indicated for people at high risk of dental caries (e.g., those with xerostomia). “SDF effectively arrests the decay that previously plagued patients with dry mouth. This treatment in combination with cosmetic bonding improves dental aesthetics with minimal invasion and cost, increasing patients’ self-esteem,” Dr. Laing said.
