Dry Mouth | Ask an Expert

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Submitted on: 13-04-2012; Answers: 16; Tagged under: Dry Mouth       ✘ Report abuse
Q Hi, Could you please suggest any natural remedies for this issue - I drink plenty of water and very little caffeine but I always seem to have a dry mouth and feel dehydrated? Another side issue is that having a dry mouth makes me habitually bite the inside of my cheek which is really frustrating - not sure if this is an anxiety/nervous issue though I don't feel anxious or stressed?? Any natural therapy or product recommendations would be gratefully received ... thank you! (Jane)

A -Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva(spit)to keep your mouth wet. The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia.

-Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging & if you have suffer from a dry mouth you are more likely to bite your cheek!

-However, there are a variety of herbal remedies for dry mouth which can effectively help to ease and prevent the condition:

-Trying various moisturizing herbal teas can be an excellent idea. Dandelion root, ginger root, liquorice root, goldenseal,& other herbal teas can stimulate saliva production and have positive effects on your digestive system.

-It is also important to add fresh fruit and vegetables your diet to prevent dehydration and relieve dry mouth.

Good Luck! www.bodyinsync.co.nz
Answered by: Bodyinsync Therapeutic Massage, Auckland;
Answered on: 17-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane. My initial impulse is to ask if you experience unusual dryness in other parts of your body as well as this can indicate a wider problem. The other considerations are mouth breathing, water intake/hydration, essential fatty acids, vitamin A level, or problems with your salivary glands.
A consultation would be the best way to get a better idea of the underlying reason and to map a way forward.
All the best.
Sharon
Answered by: House of Health Ltd;
Answered on: 16-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane
You have outlined the symptoms but to suggest any natural therapy, we need to get to the source of the problem. For that we really need proper case taking. You are most welcome to call us on 0800 366 345.
Answered by: Therapeutic Centre;
Answered on: 16-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane a dry mouth could be symptomatic for a number of different conditions, including Diabetis, Autonomic dysfunction involving your cranial nerves to name just two. The second issue of cheek biting could also have cranial nerve involvement of the TMJ joint in your jaw. I would recommend that you contact any of my Chiropractic coleages who have experience with TMJ adjusting. In your case it is going to be crucial that a thourgh history and cranial nerve exam is completed before any treatmentcommences. Both physical and emotional trauma could play a role in your condition. Dr Craig ( Chiropractor)
Answered by: Chiroworks;
Answered on: 15-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane, The dry mouth and feeling dehydrated are symptoms. When we are sick it is important to look beyond the symptoms and find the root cause of these symptoms. Symptoms are the body's way of getting our attention that there is something else going on that needs to be addressed. NESProvision is a wonderful way of addressing root cause issues. To find out more you can visit www.beyondhealth.co.nz. Best wishes. Thanks Jane.
Answered by: BEYOND HEALTH;
Answered on: 14-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane

When did this start? If the timing coincides within a month of a physical impact, especially to head neck or spine, then consider some ConTact C.A.R.E, which specialises in unhooking any flinch-locked bones resulting from such injuries. There may be a physical contributor to your dry mouth, such as compromised neck, or some tension jamming up the throat or salivary process.

If this started in coincidence with an emotional event, consider that may be a contributing factor.

You could even look metaphorically, what cant you swallow in your life, or some such, as a guide for what emotions might be linked to this.

Obviously by now you have a large number of practitioners offering their take on the matter. If no one thing rings true, then I would look to one of the kinesiology based modalities, Body Talk is one of my favorites, which will ask your system what it needs, and either address it or refer you to a modality that can.

Bear in mind that the relationship with your practitioner is is one of the most important factors in the success of any treatment, and we all have our strong points and our limitations on what we know. So ring and interview a few practitioners that you are interested in.

Good luck,
Craig
(Release Therapies, Mt Eden)
Answered by: Release Body Therapy and NLP Coaching;
Answered on: 14-04-2012;
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A HI Jane,

I agree with the Mt Albert Chiropractic Clinic. Firstly, are you a mouth breather? If so, you will constantly feel you have a dry mouth because we are not meant to breathe through the mouth at rest, only when we are exercising strenously or talking or in extreme stress like running away from danger.

The nose humidifies, warms and purifies the air before it enters the lungs and if we mouth breathe, we are taking in cold irritable drying air which gives you your dry month feeling.

My recommendation is check if you can easily breathe using your nose and if you can't that means you will be mouth breathing at night and it is likely to be a great place to start to help your dry mouth. Then I would be looking into your general health, sleep quality, whether you acknowledge your emotions and understand the connections between our emotions and our physical state.

I am actually a breathing physio who specialises in helping people who mouth breathe so happy to see you if you live in Auckland. Kind regards,

Susan
Answered by: Moving Well;
Answered on: 14-04-2012;
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A Hello Jane
the experience in my praxis shows , that you might have an imbalance in your estrogen levels which causes dryness , even in your mouth you are most welcome to give me a call in my clinic , when I am able to ask some questions it is easier for me to help
093605143
kind regards
birgit
from Seriously you
Answered by: Seriously You;
Answered on: 14-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane Thanks for your question. I am not sure that this is easily addressed without a thorough consultation. I would want to know more about your dry mouth, thirst, general state of well-being, emotional state, any medications taken etc. Symptoms are a way your system is asking for help and it is often surprising what lies behind the symptom. Happy to help if needed.
Warm regards
Angela
Answered by: Concordia Health;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane
There is a Cell Salt called Nat Mur which you can buy at any Health Food Shop that will help to correct this problem. Nat Mur is salt and maybe a little Himalayan salt added to your drinking water may help as well. You may also need to look at your Electrolight balance. You could find an Aquarian Healer in your area who could use muscle testing to find out whether this is a nutritional, emotional problem, or a more serious condition e.g diabetis
Answered by: Aquarian Wellness Clinic;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane,
Sometimes there is an imbalance of fluid in the body -some areas having an over supply and other areas an under supply. Very often any fluid imbalance will have an emotional content that needs to be addressed before the body can use the water that you are drinking. BodyTalk can address this by finding out from your body what areas require balancing and if there are any emotional issues we have great release techniques. I also use First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand which will help you to make and hold these changes. Have you looked at your sugar intake? Too much sugar makes one thirsty and dehydrated. I would also look at your food intake.
Answered by: Instinctive Health - Jeanette Shearer;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A If you always feel dehydrated, maybe you are! As noted by the previous poster, adequate minerals are needed for hydration (mostly sodium, from table salt and animal products and potassium, from fruit and vegetables). If you are thirsty all the time, you should get your blood sugar checked as that can be a sign of diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of diabetes insipidus, which is less serious. Neurolink may be helpful for that.
Answered by: West Auckland Massage & Natural Health;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A Hi Jane,

My first question would be are you a 'mouth breather' ? You may not even be aware of this. Next would be to look at your breathing patterns, general health and stress levels
Answered by: Mt Albert Chiropractic Centre;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A Some people have dry mouth with a condition called Sjorgen's Syndrome, an autoimmune condition. This condition can also be associated with thyroid and gastroesophageal reflux among other antibody issues. Ruling this condition out would be a start. Other conditions that can mimic this is to seek naturopathic advice and getting a proper diagnosis. Adrenal fatigue and ongoing stress can cause thyroid and glandular issues. I use a range of homeobotanical and Bach flower essences to address adrenal fatigue along with a low stress diet which
cuts out dairy and gluten and allows the body to heal. This also helps with any gut issues. Minerals such as magnesium and zinc plus Vitamin C, B vitamins and a good quality evening primrose oil are also added.
Answered by: Donna's Wellness Centre;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A From a Homeopathic point of view it would be important to consider all other concommitant symptoms that are present with the condition. For example, are you thirsty or not thirsty? What exacerbates this condition , what alleviates the dryness? Does this prevent swallowing or sleep at night? Do you suffer from dry lips as well?Is this dryness accompanied by salivation or not?
In short, there are many more aspects that would need to be taken into account. When treating such an issue homeopaths would embrace a very holistic view and take all aspects into account( physical, medical, emotional,) when deciding on a particular remedy. There are many remedies that can be used for such a condition but there is only one specific remedy for an individual expression of such a condition and it would only be after an indepth consultation that such a prescription would be made.It would therefore be most helpful to consult a homeopath to assist you with such a problem so as to afford you with the help of the correct homeopathic remedy.
Answered by: Homeopathy;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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A The medical term for dry mouth is Xerostomia and could be caused by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system- generally sympathetic dominant whereby saliva output is reduced. You say you are not anxious or stressed but sometimes you may have symptoms of stress that become habitual and unrecognised as stress. If you have allergies or sinus trouble you may be a mouth breather which could contribute to dry mouth or perhaps you are drinking water but you lack minerals for keeping it inside the cells. A high sugar diet can also contribute. There are certain medications or immune problems that have dry mouth as a symptom but without any more information it is hard to pinpoint the cause. I would recommend taking vitamin C, ionic minerals in you water, avoid sugar and processed foods, drink 2-3 litres of water per day, treat allergies if this is a problem, increase vitamin A- could take cod liver oil and add freshly ground flaxseed to your diet. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and rinse mouth frequently with propolis mouthwash or himalayan salt solution. If these suggestions do not help I would see a Health professional.
Answered by: Better Balance;
Answered on: 13-04-2012;
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