Dry Mouth
Some of these suggestions may not be appropriate if you are on a special diet.
- Drink plenty of fluids (a minimum of eight glasses per day is recommended).
- Sip juices and other fluids regularly throughout the day. A sports bottle is a handy way to keep water with you.
- Apply moisturizer (K-Y jelly, Surgilube, Carmex, Boraflex) to lips to prevent dryness.
- Use a room humidifier to help prevent dry lips and mouth.
- Have a frozen treat, such as ice chips, frozen juice, Popsicles, ice cream, and sherbet.
- Sugar-free hard candies and chewing gum can keep your mouth moist.
- Juicy fruits, like melon, oranges, and canned fruits, make refreshing snacks.
- Try very sweet or tart foods and liquids, such as lemon water, lemonade, grapefruit, and gelatin.
- Soups are usually tolerated well and can be a good source of nutrition.
- Alternate sips of liquid and bites of food to moisten food and aid swallowing.
- Add moisture to solid foods (gravy, sauce, dips, broth, salad dressing, yogurt, mayonnaise, applesauce, butter, etc.).
- Dunk or soak foods in liquid (cookies and milk, toasted cheese sandwich and soup).
- Rinse mouth regularly with warm tap water or any of the following:
- teaspoon salt to 1 cup of water
- teaspoon baking soda to 1 cup of water
- Ask your doctor about using artificial saliva.