Healing Nutrition

Adults typically produce between 0.5 and 2 liters of saliva per day, which plays an essential role in the digestive processes of taste, initial breakdown of foods, chewing, bolus formation, and swallowing, based on a 2009 article. 

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A dry mouth, or xerostomia, is characterized by a decrease in saliva production, which generates the sensation of having a dry mouth.

 

Some kinds of chemotherapy radiation therapy to the head and neck and certain other medicines can cause a dry mouth by damaging the salivary glands. It can take 6 months or longer after radiation therapy ends for the salivary glands to start producing saliva again.

 

A dry mouth or thick saliva can increase your risk of cavities and oral infections and decrease your appetite and enjoyment of food. The dryness can worsen if you smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol. 

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Nutrition Strategies for Dry Mouth

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• Eat foods that are wet and soft.

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• Take small bites throughout the day and chew your food well. ​

 

• Sip liquids with meals to moisten foods and help with swallowing. ​

 

• Dip dry bread in soups, plain or chocolate milk to moisten. 

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• Choose soft fruits high in water content such as grapes, watermelon, pineapple, and oranges.

 

• Choose pears and peaches in fruit cups and applesauce instead of fresh fruits. 

 

• Suck on frozen fruit like grapes, melon balls, peach and orange frozen slices and ice chips. 

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• Try sugar-free hard candies and sugar-free chewing gum.  

  • Citrus, cinnamon, and mint flavors often work well. 

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• Keep water nearby for frequent sips between meals and drink 2-3 liters daily.

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• Add liquids such as broth, gravy, sauce, milk, and yogurt to dry foods. 

  • For example, you can moisten rice, chicken, tuna, and other foods using broths, soups, creams, gravies, sauces, oils, salad dressings, yogurt, mayonnaise, or butter. ​​​

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• Nutrition supplements. Drink milkshakes, smoothies, and protein shakes. 

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• Warm liquids like teas also work well for thinning thick saliva.

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• Eating papaya can help break up thick saliva.

 

• Sip on liquids throughout the day to help alleviate thick secretions.  

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• Lemonade, cranberry, and pomegranate juice can increase saliva secretion. ​​​​

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Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Dry Mouth

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• Acidic, hot, and salty foods and drinks.

• Hard and crunchy foods such as popcorn, crackers, toast, pretzels and chips

• Thick foods that can give a pasty sensation in the mouth, such as peanut butter.

• Hard and crunchy fresh fruits and vegetables

• Tough meats 

• Chewy candies 

• Alcohol

• Tobacco

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Mouth Conditioners

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According to a 2021 review, mouth conditioners and artificial saliva are used as therapeutic management. Products are specially formulated to manage a dry mouth and relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. Different options include moisturizing gels, mouth rinses, and mouth sprays to help lubricate to give comfort and lasting symptom relief. Typically all moisturizing products have a balanced pH similar to natural saliva.

 

You can find various saliva substitutes brands sold in drugstores like: ​

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• Biotene 

• BioXtra 

• Caphosol 

• Glandosane 

• MouthKote 

• Salivart 

• Xero-Lube 

• Xylimelts

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Mouth Care ​

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To avoid cavities and mouth infection related to dry mouth, proper oral hygiene is necessary. We must not forget to brush our teeth after each meal with fluoridated toothpaste, use dental floss and visit the dentist regularly.

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• Frequent mouth care along with rinses with salt or baking soda. 

 

• Swish and spit using club soda or carbonated water.  

 

• Use a cool-mist humidifier to moisten the room's air, especially at night. 

 

• Use petroleum jelly, cocoa butter, or a mild lip balm to keep lips moist.

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• Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol.

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