Dry Mouth Relief: Best Ways to Find Immediate and Lasting Comfort

When your mouth feels like cotton, you’re not just uncomfortable—you’re dealing with dry mouth, a condition where your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Also known as xerostomia, it’s not just an annoyance. It makes eating, talking, and even swallowing harder, and it raises your risk for cavities, gum disease, and infections. This isn’t something that goes away on its own. It’s often a side effect of something bigger—like the meds you’re taking, dehydration, or even aging.

Think about it: if you’re on antidepressants, common drugs like Paxil or Prozac that affect brain chemicals, or blood pressure pills, like those in the ACE inhibitor or diuretic family, dry mouth is a well-documented side effect. Same goes for antihistamines, used for allergies but known to dry out mucous membranes. Even dehydration, from not drinking enough water or losing fluids through sweat or illness, can trigger it. And if you’re over 65? Chances are you’re on more than one med that contributes to this. It’s not rare—it’s common.

But here’s the good part: you don’t have to live with it. Simple fixes like sipping water through the day, chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, or using a humidifier at night can make a real difference. Some people find relief with over-the-counter saliva substitutes or mouthwashes made for dry mouth. And if it’s your meds causing it? Talk to your doctor. Sometimes switching to a different drug or adjusting the dose helps—without giving up the treatment you need.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve been there. From how to spot if your dry mouth is linked to a specific drug, to what natural remedies actually work, to when you need to see a professional—this collection cuts through the noise. No guesswork. Just clear, tested advice to help you get your mouth back to normal.