Patients with dry mouth have varying degrees of discomfort. Some people feel a dry or burning sensation in their mouth. A dry mouth may affect their ability to chew, taste, swallow, and speak. Changes in saliva also can affect oral and dental health. Severe cases of dry mouth can result in cracking of the lips, or at the corners of the mouth, changes in the surface of the tongue, rampant tooth decay, ulceration of the mouth's lining, and infection.

Although there is no single way to treat dry mouth, there are a number of steps you can follow to keep teeth in good health and relieve the sense of dryness. These suggestions will not correct the underlying cause of xerostomia, but may help you feel more comfortable.

To preserve your teeth:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

• Use dental floss daily.

• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Ask your dentist about using a topical fluoride.

• Avoid sticky, sugary foods, or brush immediately after eating them.

• See your dentist at least three times a year for cleanings and early treatment of cavities.

• Ask your dentist if you should use a remineralizing solution or prescription-strength fluoride.
  

To relieve dryness and preserve the soft tissues:

• Take frequent sips of water or drinks without sugar. Pause often while speaking to sip some liquid. Avoid coffee, tea, and soft drinks, containing caffeine.

• Drink frequently while eating. This will make chewing and swallowing easier and may increase the taste of foods.

• Keep a glass of water by your bed for dryness during the night or upon wakening.

• Chew sugarless gum. The chewing may produce more saliva.

• Eat sugarless mints or hard sugarless candies, but let them dissolve in your mouth. Cinnamon and mint are often most effective.

• Place a small piece of lemon rind or a cherry pit in your mouth. The sucking action helps stimulate saliva.

• Avoid spicy, salty and highly acidic foods that may irritate the mouth.

• Ask your dentist, physician or nurse about using artificial salivas to help lubricate the mouth.

• Use a humidifier, particularly at night.