Dry mouth solutions?

[CautiousK]

Hi all,dont want to bring anyones mood down but I am having a really low day. I have a problem called Sjorgens that makes my mouth and eyes really dry and Addisons that makes me crave salt it's a nightmare!

I have got into the habit of constantly sucking sweets to produce saliva but I realise that's a lot of sugar. I have tried to chew gum but that just dries really quickly.

I dont suppose anyone had had a similar obstacle?

I am disappointed in myself as this is really a habit I want to get rid of.

CautiousK

[lucigret]

A constant dry mouth sounds awful!

I looked this up and came across this

Saliva substitutes

There are also products you can buy from pharmacies that may help to keep your mouth moist, known as saliva substitutes.

There are several different types available, including sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels. You may need to try a few types to find one that works for you.

Also said to suck ice cubes.

You probably know all this already!

I do hope you find a solution 😊

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025 in reply to lucigret]

Hi Lucigret ,

I had forgotten that someone did suggest ice cubes to me once and for some reason I have overlooked that, it seems such a simple short term solution.

Thank you for your reply and I didnt know of the saliva substitutes. I was only recently diagnosed as it runs along with my Fibromyalgia.

I will certainly look in to it.

Thanks again

CautiousK

[Fran182716]

Hi yes I do, I was tested for sjogrens but it was inconclusive - I have the atrophied salivary glands but eyes are fine and joints only normal wear and tear for my age. I was offered artificial saliva, I don’t know if your doctor has mentioned this to you? I didn’t fancy it to be honest. Sugar makes my saliva thicker and gives me a very sore mouth. I did try the sugar free sweets but they taste horrible and also have a very laxative effect! I do sometimes have trouble swallowing, especially starchy foods due to lack of amylase, but I don't eat a lot of starch. I always have a drink to sip with food, I find always having a source of fat with a meals helps, and sauces. Whilst writing this I’m eating salmon and veg with a sauce I made from full fat Greek yoghurt with lemon juice, black pepper and chives which is yummy and helps the food go down. Hope this might help? 😀

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025 in reply to Fran182716]

Hi Fran

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It seems like a petty thing but it's amazing the things you take for granted about your body.

I will take all tips on board.

Enjoy your meal 😊

[Fran182716 in reply to Fran182716]

Ah, I see I’ve been given a restart badge, thank you TeamAdmin ! I haven't been around here for a while but I actually lost 2 stone last year, just gained a couple of lockdown pounds back. Have one stone left to lose. 😀

[467807]

I have the symptoms of sjogren's but haven’t been able to be tested due to covid and my gp is useless. But I know that’s what I have. I find sunlight make my symptoms 100% worse so using sunscream, sun hat or just staying indoors really helps. There are these omega 7 with sea buckthorn tablets on Holland and Barrett that are expensive but really help. And eating juicy fruit like grapes and watermelon help more than drinking water. Have you been tested for diabetes insipidus as my gp thought I might have this (symptoms are really similar and is common with people with addisons) hope this helps. Just to say I’m no expert I got my diagnosis from watching House!

Jasmine

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 10 kg SS Supercook in reply to 467807]

Hi Jasmine, welcome to the weight loss forum and thank you for helping out. May I ask if you would like to join the forum or are just a visitor.

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025 in reply to 467807]

Hi Jasmine,

I love how you got your diagnosis 🤣.

I had the dry eye test , where the put small cotton buds in the corners of your eyes for 5 minutes.

I will certainly look for those vitamins.

I asked on here before I googled as I tend to get bogged down with reviews and can never decide and I know that speaking to people with similar symptoms is the best way for me to find what will suit me.

Thank you so much for your reply.

CautiousK

[Surreychica_1]

Yes I get dry mouth at night and I am using Solugren to produce saliva. At night I have to tape my mouth shut so that I breath through my nose otherwise I get ulcess and my throat really hurts. Not sure if is the meds I take! Also your doctor could give you a tablet which helps procude saliva. There are other products as well ask in your pharmacy.

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025]

Hi Surreychica

I feel a bit ridiculous as my issue isnt anywhere near as bad as yours. Hope you can get some comfort soon.

CautiousK

[Subtle_badger]

Sorry I haven't got anything to suggest, but if you go for sugar free sweets, be cautious. Sorbitol (in Polos and lots of others) will act as a powerful laxative if you eat too many. I believe xylitol is similar.

In fact, if you try any sugar free sweets, use them at home until you find out how your body responds.

[Subtle_badger in reply to Subtle_badger]

Oh, I just realised you don't need to be told to be Cautious! 😂

[Shield-Maiden]

Hi CautiousK,

I don't know if this helps, but I used to buy my daughter Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste, when she had a dry mouth; she said that the toothpaste really helped.

We bought it in Walmart, and, after just checking, we've found it for sale at Amazon UK...it's not expensive.

Apologies if you already know about this. SM

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025 in reply to Shield-Maiden]

Hi Shield Maiden,

Honestly , all advice and tips are appreciated as if I can get out of my sweet sucking habit I will be really happy 😊.

Thank you

[Shield-Maiden in reply to CautiousK]

I'm sure you will do it....it will be a distant memory, very soon x

[Fran182716]

Also forgot to say before, my dr advised to keep well hydrated throughout the day, if you’re dehydrated saliva will be thicker and harder to move along damaged ducts.

[CautiousK Restart Jan 2025 in reply to Fran182716]

Thanks Fran, I am making more effort to do this x

[Mercy277]

I totally understand your concern over this issue as I had to have emergency oral surgery a couple of years ago to remove my stony saliva which blocked the duct causing extreme swelling of accumulated saliva and unbearable pain. The Doctors advised me to always drink sips of water throughout the day and chew gums. I find the latter socially unacceptable.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Mercy277]

Hello Mercy277 and welcome to the forum

You'll find everything you need in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... including a Welcome Newbies post. We've found that active participation really pays off and I recommend joining a weigh in on the day of your choice, and using the Daily Diary to help with meal planning.

All the best