Cracked lips, dry mouth, and bad breath are all conditions that are associated with winter. Winter is notorious for making people sick and cold, which is not a great combination for your oral health. However, there are certain things that you can do to decrease the likelihood of developing dry mouth symptoms and/or alleviate symptoms when they come about. Continue reading to learn more about why dry mouth is more common in the wintertime and what you can do to avoid it.
Why It Happens
It is important to understand the reason why dry mouth happens before getting into ways to avoid it. The name dry mouth is pretty straightforward; however, the reason why it occurs can be a bit more complicated. Usually, dry mouth is a symptom of dehydration, which is basically when your body does not have enough fluid.
This can happen due to many different types of causes including not drinking water, sleeping with your mouth open, or dry hot weather. Cold temperatures can also cause dry mouth because cold air can make it difficult for saliva to form. Symptoms of dry mouth include little to no saliva, bad breath, difficulty speaking and swallowing, cracked/dry lips, and a dry feeling in your mouth.
Ways To Alleviate Dry Mouth In The Winter
Drink Water!!
The most common cause of dry mouth is dehydration. So if you are experiencing dry mouth, drinking water is the easiest and most effective way to relieve your symptoms. Drinking water throughout the day is important for staving off dehydration. If you’re not used to drinking water, consider getting a large water bottle or a water bottle with a straw. It can be easier to drink things with a straw.
Avoid Sugar
Another thing that can dry out your mouth is eating a lot of sugar. The way to combat this is to avoid sugar as much as possible! Try to eat low-sugar options and/or choose to eat sugar with meals. You may also want to try drinking water after eating sugar to remove as much sugar from your mouth as possible.
Try To Sleep With A Humidifier
Having a humidifier in your room is another awesome way to help cut down the likelihood of developing a dry mouth. Many times, individuals will experience dry mouth due to their mouths being open while they are sleeping. A humidifier ensures that the air in your room does not get dry during the night. Having a humidifier on in the room even when you are not sleeping can help improve your dry mouth symptoms.
Try Chewing Gum
One way to help improve dehydration in the wintertime is to start chewing gum. Gum is made with a substance called xylitol. Xylitol is great for relieving a dry mouth because it increases saliva. More saliva in your mouth means that you are less likely to get dehydrated. Make sure that your gum is sugar-free and you will be golden.
Do You Need A Dentist Appointment?
Visiting the dentist is a task that greatly improves your oral health. This winter, it is important to have a dentist on your side that will be able to keep your teeth on the right track. Not only will regular dental appointments keep your teeth in good shape, but they will also ensure that you know what practices you can do on your own to improve your smile. Our dentists here at Hendersonville Family Dental are experienced, knowledgeable, and very helpful. We would be more than happy to help you out. For more information, feel free to reach out to us at Hendersonville Family Dental today.