How to Activate Saliva Production

Saliva is essential to dental health. Without adequate saliva production your risk of tooth decay and oral infection increases, and eventually you may develop difficulty with speaking, swallowing and tasting. While you can cure many instances of dry mouth through hydration and oral stimulation, chronic dry mouth, called xerostomia, requires medical attention. Drugs and alternative treatments stimulate saliva production and create a healthy environment in your mouth.

Instructions

• 1

  Drink sugarless liquids to increase the saliva available without exposing your teeth to the corrosive effects of sugar. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate your salivary glands.

• 2

  Brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing neutral sodium fluoride, which stimulates saliva production without irritating a dry mouth. Clean your teeth multiple times every day and do not rinse after spitting out the toothpaste.

• 3

  Discuss saliva substitutes and prescription medicines such as Salogen and Evoxac if long-term assistance with saliva production is necessary.

• 4

  Consult an experienced acupuncturist for an alternative to traditional medicine; some acupuncture points encourage saliva production.