Natural Foods for Dry Mouth

Everyone experiences dry mouth from time to time, often caused by dehydration, or when the body doesn't produce enough saliva. Although it might seem like a minor annoyance, a chronic dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, because saliva helps to wash away excess plaque and bacteria. Fortunately, dry mouth is easy to cure naturally by adjusting the beverages you drink and the foods you eat.

Water and Tea

• One of the simplest natural fixes for dry mouth is to drink plenty of water every day. Drinking water regularly throughout the day will rehydrate your mouth. Avoid highly caffeinated drinks because caffeine can be dehydrating. You may wish to replace beverages such as coffee with herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger tea to alleviate a dry mouth.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, such as oranges, apples and celery, will help keep you hydrated. Celery stalks are especially helpful in remedying a dry mouth because celery stimulates the saliva glands. Any fruit or vegetable that's high in fiber will also increase saliva production and keep your mouth properly hydrated.

Natural Mouthwash

• A natural mouthwash will not only help alleviate a dry mouth, it will also combat the tooth decay and bad breath that may accompany a dry mouth.

  To make a soothing natural mouthwash, mix fennel seeds, aniseed, rosemary and mint sprigs and soak in water overnight. In the morning, strain the water and use the herbal-infused water as a mouthwash. The fennel will stimulate your salivary glands, the rosemary will combat bacteria, the mint will cool and refresh your mouth and the aniseed will sweeten your breath.