We are most often not aware of our bodily processes. For instance, we do not realize that our tongue never sits comfortably in our mouths or even that we are continuously breathing. However, once a bit of discomfort sets in, we become consciously aware of such processes.
Our mouths are usually moist for a number of reasons. Our salivary glands excrete a watery substance called saliva into our mouths and believe it or not, this substance actually has an important role to play in our dental health. Saliva is responsible for preventing bad breath, fighting bacteria, and aiding in digestion.
Read More: Why Does My Toothpaste Make My Mouth Dry?
Now, what happens when the salivary glands do not excrete as much saliva as they used to? Dry mouth or xerostomia is a medical condition caused by age or cancer radiation therapy. While this is not a serious medical condition, dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable and you may seek treatment.
Dry mouth is a common issue faced by many across the globe. Because of this, there have been countless discovered home remedies and prescribed medications. Keep reading to find out the best and most effective ways to treat your dry mouth!
Ingredients To Avoid In Certain Toothpaste When You Have Dry Mouth
There are countless kinds of toothpaste out there that reputable companies have advertised under several catchy titles such as “whitening” or “bad breath reliever.” While these titles may have some truth to them, what major manufacturers fail to tell the public is that a majority of these toothpaste contain an ingredient that can lead to dry mouth.
The one ingredient you should look for on the packaging of your toothpaste is Sodium lauryl sulfate. This ingredient is usually promoted for gum health and for this reason, it is very popular among consumers.
Companies usually refrain from telling us that this ingredient has been shown to lead to dry mouth. It can also lead to canker sores, small lesions that can develop on the soft tissues or gums in your mouth.
Although Sodium lauryl sulfate has been known to cause irritation, it is allowed in washing or cleaning bodily products because it is expected to not stay on any region of the body for long periods of time. However, when brushing one’s teeth, it is expected to take around 5 to 10 minutes, and therefore, this ingredient is present in the mouth for quite some time.
It is important to be on the lookout for this ingredient and instead seek an alternative. There are plenty of toothpaste that do not have harmful side effects.
Best Toothpastes for Dry Mouth
Biotene Dry Mouth
If you are suffering from dry mouth, you may want to try a toothpaste that moisturizes and cleanses your mouth. Biotene Antibacterial Dry Mouth Toothpaste has been specifically designed to prevent dry mouth.
This toothpaste does not foam as much as other toothpaste and instead, is more liquid-based. It is naturally sweetened with xylitol to provide a much lighter and appealing taste. The formula does not contain SLS and is formulated using the LP3 Enzyme System, a complement to the mouth’s natural antibacterial protection system.
Salivea
Salivea Dry Mouth Care Toothpaste uses the original Biotene formula for combatting dry mouth. The company has reformulated the original and added their own touch. Salivea helps restore and strengthen your mouth’s antibacterial defenses.
Like Biotene, Salivea is SLS-free and contains xylitol to give off a soothing mint flavor. The toothpaste also contains natural enzymes to help fight against plaque and maintain a healthy environment in your mouth. Salivea is also very effective at combatting irritation caused by dry mouth.
CariFree Gel 1100
CariFree is a strong toothpaste that prevents dry mouth and tooth decay. It is used for neutralizing the pH of your mouth as well as preventing cavities. It contains 4 major protective ingredients: fluoride, xylitol, elevated pH, and CTx4.
Fluoride is used to strengthen the teeth as well as protect the mouth from acid attacks. Xylitol is used for the prevention of cavity and buildup of plaque. Elevated pH is used to neutralize the pH level of your mouth. The last ingredient, CTx4 is the main ingredient used to prevent dry mouth.
Other Therapies for Dry Mouth
- Limiting caffeine intake:
Caffeine has been shown to dehydrate your mouth. Because of this, you should refrain from excessive intake of caffeine and instead opt for drinks such as water. - Drink water daily:
You should incorporate water into your diet and attempt to drink it at least once every hour. - Stop tobacco use:
The nicotine in tobacco has been shown to reduce saliva flow. This can in turn, lead to dry mouth. If you cannot stop completely, consider using it less. - Use a room humidifier:
A humidifier will make the air more humid at night. This is especially helpful since most of us breathe through our noses. The humid air will result in a moisturized mouth. - Avoid using OTC antihistamines and decongestants:
These medications are normally used for drying the mucus in the sinus, mouth, nasal passages, and chest. Because of this, you may experience slight dry mouth when using these products. - Breath through your nose:
When sleeping with your mouth open, the open air will dry the saliva. With a lack of saliva, there will also be no protection against bacteria, thus leading to bad breath. - Chew sugar-free gum:
Sugar-free gum has been shown to increase the flow of saliva. This not only prevents dry mouth but can reduce plaque acid and strengthen the teeth.
Dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable and can interfere with your daily life. By avoiding using products that contain SLS, you should be on your way to having a moisturized and clean mouth. You should try any of the toothpaste or therapies discussed previously if you are looking for treatment.
