I'm a teacher and of course have to talk a lot. I can't seem to keep my mouth from drying up like crazy on an everyday basis. I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem? I've tried a lot of things to no avail (Biotene, gum, green tea, and more. the list goes on...) If anyone had any miracle cures or suggestions, that would be great.

9/23/2009 9:02:37 PM

You mean.. COTTON MOUTH? Stop smoking that weed.

9/23/2009 9:10:02 PM

Drink moar water.

MOAR!

Just sip a little every now and then throughout the day. No need to chug a lot, just enough to wet the whistle.

9/23/2009 9:12:06 PM

haha yeah it does feel like a bad case of cotton mouth that won't go away

i've tried the water thing, doesn't do much good

9/23/2009 9:16:53 PM

I'm also a teacher and I don't get dry mouth but I find myself getting very dehydrated. Try to sip water during your lecture, it's hard to remember but it helps a lot.

9/23/2009 9:20:07 PM

[Edited on September 23, 2009 at 9:23 PM. Reason : double post]

9/23/2009 9:22:54 PM

guaifenesin?

9/23/2009 9:22:54 PM

H2O?

9/23/2009 10:37:27 PM

Are you taking any prescription drugs that might cause dry mouth?

9/24/2009 12:19:53 AM

I have trouble with dry mouth due to medication. When I was pregnant, it was worse than ever. I drank water like crazy and used he Biotene Dry Mouth Spray. I never found anything that was a cure all, but those two were my old stand bys.

9/24/2009 12:56:38 AM

Green tea? Dude, that actually causes dry mouth, because it is a slight astringent

I am a teacher too (college lecturer), and I ALWAYS have gum in my mouth when I teach. I use one piece of gum for 2 lectures in a row, and for me it works perfectly. Without gum, I can't teach, as my mouth gets dry and gummy inside (saliva gets concentrated), and I start getting that white stuff (which is just concentrated saliva I guess) on the left and right ends of my lips (where the two lips meet). I am a very animated and forceful teacher, so it just becomes impossible without gum.

Sometimes I also take water with me, and just have a sip (enough to wet the insides, like a tablespoon or two) every 5 to 10 minutes. That also works, but not as well as gum obviously, as with gum the mouth remains wet constantly.

I don't know what else you can try if those don't work with you. I have also done a small pebble or a bead in my mouth instead of gum. That also works nicely. You move it around in your mouth and saliva keeps being produced constantly. Try it.

9/24/2009 5:15:21 AM

Yeah well I was drinking coffee, then I figured that was bad for it, so I switched to green tea which I read online that it may actually help dry mouth.

so when you say a "bead", do you mean like an actual bead? or is this like some medication?

and no i don't think it's because of medication. i take protonix for acid reflux and an antihistamine for allergies. that's it

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 4:54 PM. Reason : ]

9/24/2009 4:52:29 PM

9/24/2009 4:55:13 PM

http://www.oasisdrymouth.com/

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 5:00 PM. Reason : .]

9/24/2009 4:59:56 PM

pedialyte?

9/24/2009 5:01:17 PM

[Dry Mouth] Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff

Quote :

"Dry mouth has numerous causes, including: Medications. Hundreds of medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, produce dry mouth as a side effect. Among the more likely types to cause problems are some of the drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, antihistamines, decongestants, high blood pressure medications, anti-diarrheals, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, and Parkinson's disease medications. Aging. Getting older isn't a risk factor for dry mouth on its own; however, older people are more likely to be taking medications that may cause dry mouth. Also, older people are more likely to have other health conditions that may cause dry mouth. Cancer therapy. Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature of saliva and the amount produced. Radiation treatments to your head and neck can damage salivary glands, causing a marked decrease in saliva production. Nerve damage. An injury or surgery that causes nerve damage to your head and neck area also can result in xerostomia. Other health conditions. Dry mouth can be a consequence of certain health conditions — or their treatments — including the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and depression. Stroke and Alzheimer's disease may cause a perception of dry mouth, even though the salivary glands are functioning normally. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to the problem. Tobacco use. Smoking or chewing tobacco can increase dry mouth symptoms."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-mouth/HA00034/DSECTION=causes

[Edited on September 24, 2009 at 5:10 PM. Reason : Are any of these applicable?]

9/24/2009 5:08:23 PM

9/24/2009 5:11:46 PM