Dry tongue and talking a lot as part of your job

[ashler]

As part of my job I usually need to present certain things which means I need to talk a lot, which with dry mouth is a problem. I usually bring a bottle of water and I chew gum during my presentations which I would prefer not to. Anyone in a similar work situation? Any suggestions?

[Joe S.]

The three 'S' of Sjogrens
1. Sip
2. Swish
3. Swallow

I uses this when I give presentations. It helps to moderate the pace. Some people also carry the sjogrens cards from this forum to help people understand why they need water.

[cupcake]

Hey Joe, What are the Sjs Cards? I haven't heard of them before. I too talk a lot at work and the bottled water is a necessity. I also carry the Biotene spray and right before work I duck to the rest room and spray.  I don't like chewing gum at work either, but sometimes it's a saver.

[Joe S.]

The Sjogrens World Forum has them. I do not remember where. They are on our web site.

[Liz D.]

One of the best things I have found to help my dry mouth while speaking is an oral spray put out by Medactive.  Google it and you'll find the different oral products they put out for dry mouth.  The one called Natural Spring is for sensitive mouths and works best for me, but there are several flavors.

Luz D.

[cccourt1942]

I recently discovered Biotene oral balance gel.  It does NOT last long.  It will help for about a half hour.  I use it in situations where I want to limit my fluid intake to cut down on urination frequency.  It works wonders at night.  For  a brief moment in time, your mouth almost feels normal.  If you can't find it a local drugstore you can order it from Amazon.
ccc

[irish]

I have used the Biotene oral gel also and I really like it. It takes a little while to get used to the texture and taste, but it does give you relief in the throat where one gets so dry that you are in pain.

I have gotten this at Walgreens over the years. I always had to search hard to fight this product and it took quite a few trips around the store. Might be wise to to stop and ask. I think that I have also seen it at CVS which is a big competitor of Walgreens. Good luck with the presentation. You might try sucking on a small watermelon lifesaver or one of the smaller candy products. Some of these products can really cause a little salivation. Could start out with the Balance and if that runs out just pop a lifesaver in your mouth. That is not very intrusive and people will understand as most people get dry when they speak. irish

[quietdynamics]

I believe like you may have previously posted, I had the Nuclear Medicine Salivary Scan: result gland dysfunction.
Second part of test used 'Lemon Juice drops' place in mouth to produce saliva.

Since lemon juice is a stimulant, increasing saliva; I now add it to my drinking water.
Another stimulant is ginger root. I make a tea from slices of it.

Dr. also increased daily dose of pilocarpine.
My tongue is dry. Morning coffee even stains it..like a paper towel.
(Coffee staining .. really shows me all the places I need to brush in the AM with tooth brush to clean tongue.. I know sounds weird. I just use it to my advantage. I also place hand on check and use tooth bush to clean and massage inside of cheek and lips. Our ph is off so sometimes I dip brush in baking soda.. sounds like a lot .. but it is not.)

Increased pilocarpine has improved quality, texture of tongue surface (mine had crevices) and color.
You could take a pilocarpine 10 minutes before a presentation. That should work. Hopefully.