Helpful Hints for Patients with Dry Mouth

A. For Dry Mouth:

a. Avoid the use of alcoholic beverages. Mouthwashes containing alcohol may dry your mouthy and worsen dry mouth symptoms.

b. Use a humidifier at night

1. Oral Balance Gel- over the counter. Carried at Rite-Aid, Rexall and CVS, may need to have pharmacy order. Excellent reviews by patients.

2. Chewing gum/lozenges( sugarless)

a.) Biotene Dry Mouth Gum

b.) XyliFresh

c.) Trident Advantage

d.) Salix Lozenges

3. Omni Breathtech

4. Tap water, bottled water

5. Water bottle shoulder strap (allows hand to be free) at the Container Store

6. Gingerale, Gatorade, Seltzer water

7. Celery

8. Watermelon, papaya and mango. Excellent reviews by patients. Good for moisturizing during meals.

9. Frozen pieces of watermelon. Also papaya and mango.

10. Popsicles: Jello brand

11. Ice cubes, ice chips (do not chew ice)

12. Whipper Snapple: Fruit flavors, i.e. papaya, mango

13. Saliva substitutes

a.) Moi-Stir

b.) MouthKote

c.) ORALbalance

d.) Salivart spray (handy for social events when you do not wish to carry a water bottle)

e.) Xero-Lube

B. Dry Lips:

1. Cocoa butter. Available at drugstores.

2. Aquaphor. Available at drugstores.

B. Mouthrinses:

1. Baking soda – 2 teaspoons per quart of water or _ teaspoon per glass. Use as rinse and/or gargle as necessary. Then empty the mouth; do not swallow. No limit on use. Excellent reviews by patients.

2. Biotene – over the counter2

3. Do not use Medidenta or Plax.

C. Toothpastes:

1. Colgate “Total”

2. Colgate regular

3. Biotene – over the counter

4. Do not use plaque control or tooth whitening formulas

5. Use of Baking Soda can also help.