I use a mouth rinse from my dentist office for dry mouth that really helps.
May 23
Dry mouth is really common with lupus — around 79% of people with lupus experience it. The good news is there are several ways to find relief!
Here are some helpful strategies to manage dry mouth:
- Brush teeth twice daily using toothpaste and mouthwash made specifically for dry mouth
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on Show Full Answer
Dry mouth is really common with lupus — around 79% of people with lupus experience it. The good news is there are several ways to find relief!
Here are some helpful strategies to manage dry mouth:
- Brush teeth twice daily using toothpaste and mouthwash made specifically for dry mouth
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy to boost saliva production
- Sip water frequently throughout the day
- Suck on ice cubes
- Rinse your mouth with cold water or mouthwash
- Try over-the-counter artificial saliva products (sprays, gels, toothpaste, or mouthwash)
- Use a humidifier at home, especially at night It's also worth avoiding things that can make dry mouth worse, like:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Alcohol
- Carbonated drinks
- Spicy, salty, or sugary foods If home remedies aren't cutting it, a rheumatologist can discuss prescription options like pilocarpine (Salagen), which helps stimulate saliva production. Also, let a dentist know about dry mouth symptoms so they can monitor for tooth decay.
Some medications commonly taken for lupus can also cause dry mouth as a side effect, so it's worth reviewing current medications with a doctor to see if adjustments can help.
May 19
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