VISN 2: Veterans' Wellness, Summer 2007

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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2

Summer 2007

12 Ways to Relieve Dry Mouth

For more about dry mouth,
log on to My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov

by Norman W. Bartz, Jr., D.D.S., Chief of Dental Services, VA Western NY Healthcare System

Are you finding yourself short on saliva these days? Is your dry mouth making it difficult to speak or swallow or affecting your food’s taste? The culprit could be a medication you’re taking.

Though it can be caused by medical disorders, dry mouth — also known as xerostomia — is often caused by drugs that treat conditions like allergies, depression, high blood pressure and urinary incontinence and also by treatments such as chemotherapy.

It can leave you with a sore throat, mouth sores, cracked lips and bad breath. What’s more, if you don’t have enough saliva to curb bacterial growth, it can lead to mouth infections and tooth decay.

Easy At-Home Treatments
To keep dry mouth at bay, try one or more of these self-help measures:

Replace moisture by using an over-the-counter saliva substitute.

Suck on sugar-free hard candy or chew on sugar-free gum to improve saliva flow.
Add sauces or gravies to dry meat, poultry and fish or eat soups and stews.
Consider canned and fresh fruits as well as beverages such as fruit ades, sports drinks and milkshakes.
For dessert, eat ice cream, sherbet and pudding instead of dry cake.
Choose soft rolls over dry breads.
Sip water throughout the day.
Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
Quit smoking or chewing tobacco. These habits can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms.
Use a nonalcohol mouthwash.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to your home.
Avoid acidic and sugary foods to keep acid levels in saliva down

Talk to your VA health care provider if your dry mouth persists. If your medication is the culprit, he or she may be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to another drug. He or she can also prescribe a medication to stimulate saliva production.

Since dry mouth increases your risk of tooth decay, you need to be careful about how you treat your teeth. Make sure you’re flossing and brushing with a fluoride toothpaste — and don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly.

Heart-Healthy Summertime Drinks
Don’t reach for the usual ice cream sundae, fraught with fat and calories, to cool off this summer. Go for something that looks and sounds more decadent but in reality is better for your health!

Orange-Strawberry Froth

Fruit Lassi

When you crave something sweet, try this thick and fruity blend.

• 2 cups fresh
orange juice
• 1½ cups apricot nectar
• 1 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries

In a food processor or blender, process all the ingredients for 20 seconds, or until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Per serving: 81 calories, 1 g protein,
20 g carbohydrates, 0 mg cholesterol,
0 g total fat (0 g saturated,
0 g polyunsaturated, 0 g monounsaturated), 1 g fiber,
3 mg sodium

Traditionally served with spicy Indian cuisine, this yogurt drink is a delicious way to bring the benefits of fat-free dairy into your diet. Not only is it good for you, it’s also refreshing and satisfying.

• 1 cup fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt
• ¾ cup mango or banana, coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 12 ice cubes

In a food processor or blender, process all the ingredients until the ice is crushed and the drink is frothy. Strain through a mesh sieve to remove the mango fiber if desired. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

Per serving: 181 calories, 7 g protein, 39 g carbohydrates, 3 mg cholesterol, 0.5 g total fat, (0 g saturated, 0 g polyunsaturated, 0 g monounsaturated), 1 g fiber, 96 mg sodium

Recipes reprinted with permission from American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook, © 2004 Clarkson Potter/Publishers. Available at booksellers everywhere.

Reviewed/Updated Date: July 30, 2007