How to Help the Flow of Saliva

Saliva flushes away debris and bacteria in your mouth, preventing gum infection and tooth decay. It also eases chewing and swallowing food. However, sometimes your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva. Dry mouth can occur from medication, age, salivary gland infections or other illnesses. Serious or chronic cases of dry mouth should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist, but you can take steps to relieve minor dry mouth and stimulate the flow of saliva.

Things You'll Need

• Moist food
• Hard candy
• Sugarless gum

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Instructions

• 1

  Drink 8 to 12 cups of water each day to lubricate your mouth. Drinking during meals may also make it more comfortable to chew and swallow.

• 2

  Eat moist food, such as smoothies, hot cereal, puréed vegetables or soup. Stay away from hard or dry foods, which may be painful or difficult to eat.

• 3

  Suck on citrus-flavored hard candies or chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva.