The festive period is upon us, and people are getting ready for time spent with friends and family, with plenty of food and drink, and social interactions.
This time of year can also bring its own challenges though, especially for those experiencing a dry mouth. While others are looking forward to the festive season and everything it brings, people with a dry mouth are thinking about ways in which they can adapt or adjust to avoid exacerbating their symptoms.
Dry mouth is caused by salivary glands in the mouth producing insufficient quantities of saliva to keep the mouth moist and protect your oral tissues.
Symptoms include:
• A lack of saliva or feeling of dryness. Saliva may also feel thick and sticky
• Frequently feeling thirsty
• A sore or sensitive mouth
• Problems speaking, chewing or swallowing food
• Increased tooth decay or bleeding gums
Why does my dry mouth feel worse at this time of year?
Unfortunately, around the festive season, there are certain things that can make the symptoms of dry mouth worse.
Firstly, because it’s colder, heating systems are on more often and for longer. This can dry out the air and cause you to become more dehydrated. At the same time, cold air tends to be less humid than warm air, so going outside may not help, especially if you’re breathing through your mouth.
We tend to consume less water and more hot drinks containing caffeine at this time of year, and during the festive season itself we drink more alcohol. This can also make the mouth drier.
In addition to drinks, we tend to consume more sugary, salty and spicy foods. These can irritate dry or sensitive oral tissues and make symptoms worse.
Staying comfortable this festive season
Having a dry mouth shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this time of year, and there are some steps you can take to limit the impact on your dry mouth symptoms:
• Stay well hydrated: Carry a bottle of water with you and sip regularly throughout the day.
• Reduce triggers: Try and limit alcohol, caffeine, and salty snacks which can worsen dryness.
• Where possible, opt for moist foods: Incorporate hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes or add sauces or gravies.
• Use a specially formulated dry mouth product: This is where Oralieve can help.
The Oralieve range of dry mouth products, formulated to mimic the natural properties of saliva, can help you restore moisture and relieve dry mouth symptoms, as well as freshen your mouth and help protect your teeth.
The festive season should be a time to look forward to, and dry mouth symptoms shouldn’t get in the way of that. By taking a few simple steps, you can enjoy this special time of year to the full, and if you need a little extra support, Oralieve is there to help.
Don’t let dry mouth spoil your enjoyment this festive season
The festive period is upon us, and people are getting ready for time spent with friends and family, with plenty of food and drink, and social interactions.
This time of year can also bring its own challenges though, especially for those experiencing a dry mouth. While others are looking forward to the festive season and everything it brings, people with a dry mouth are thinking about ways in which they can adapt or adjust to avoid exacerbating their symptoms.
Dry mouth is caused by salivary glands in the mouth producing insufficient quantities of saliva to keep the mouth moist and protect your oral tissues.
Symptoms include:
• A lack of saliva or feeling of dryness. Saliva may also feel thick and sticky
• Frequently feeling thirsty
• A sore or sensitive mouth
• Problems speaking, chewing or swallowing food
• Increased tooth decay or bleeding gums
Why does my dry mouth feel worse at this time of year?
Unfortunately, around the festive season, there are certain things that can make the symptoms of dry mouth worse.
Firstly, because it’s colder, heating systems are on more often and for longer. This can dry out the air and cause you to become more dehydrated. At the same time, cold air tends to be less humid than warm air, so going outside may not help, especially if you’re breathing through your mouth.
We tend to consume less water and more hot drinks containing caffeine at this time of year, and during the festive season itself we drink more alcohol. This can also make the mouth drier.
In addition to drinks, we tend to consume more sugary, salty and spicy foods. These can irritate dry or sensitive oral tissues and make symptoms worse.
Staying comfortable this festive season
Having a dry mouth shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this time of year, and there are some steps you can take to limit the impact on your dry mouth symptoms:
• Stay well hydrated: Carry a bottle of water with you and sip regularly throughout the day.
• Reduce triggers: Try and limit alcohol, caffeine, and salty snacks which can worsen dryness.
• Where possible, opt for moist foods: Incorporate hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes or add sauces or gravies.
• Use a specially formulated dry mouth product: This is where Oralieve can help.
The Oralieve range of dry mouth products, formulated to mimic the natural properties of saliva, can help you restore moisture and relieve dry mouth symptoms, as well as freshen your mouth and help protect your teeth.
The festive season should be a time to look forward to, and dry mouth symptoms shouldn’t get in the way of that. By taking a few simple steps, you can enjoy this special time of year to the full, and if you need a little extra support, Oralieve is there to help.