So what's your best treatment for dry mouth?

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

Even though I've managed to curb some of my oral dryness, there's room for improvement. Just curious to learn what others use to combat parched mouth.

I currently find low dose testosterone and dhea work best in combination with pilocarpine (Salagen).

Kind regards.
Maria

[katie1111]

Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, MedActive oral relief lozenges (available from Amazon)

Katie 11

[cccourt1942]

I am on 25mg of pilocarpine each day.  10mg in the a.m, 7.5mg mid afternoon,, 7.5mg at about 8 or 9.  I keep Xylimelts w' me, seldom use it, and I use Biotene gel when I have what you call parched mouth.  Certain foods (usually too much salt added) can dry me out instantaneously.  I sip of water and coat my oral cavity with biotene relieves that feel.   Mostly I avoid any food which dries me out.  Also, I avoid nasal sprays and antihistamines like they are poison.  Sometimes we have to take them...but I certainly don't like it.  I don't use those other products mentioned...as I consider them for what I term "normal" dry mouth issues.  Ours is systemic.  Calls for the big guns! 

btw: my rheumy has stated I cannot take anymore pilo per day.  That is, I a at my maximum. 

[WhatYouSjo]

I've found Ubiquinol (200mg/day) to be helpful. I have a humidifier next to my bed, chew Xylitol gum occassionally, and drink lots of water.

[Sharon]

1- Ubiquinol 200mg before sleep (with Omega 3 pill for absorbtion)

2- I use Pilocarpine eye drops as a mouthwash by swishing a few drops around in my mouth.
This stimulates saliva flow.
I do this since I can't tolerate the Salagen pills (plus the eye drops are much cheaper).

[Joe S.]

Sip,Swish,Swallow water.

[Kathy57]

I use generic Evoxac three times daily - the maximum dose I can take.  Pilocarpine (the maximum dose) seemed like just a minimum of relief to me.  Evoxac works better, but I am still dry in between doses.  Some days are worse than others.

I also use Xyelomelts at night while I am sleeping - one on each side of my mouth.  I sip lots of fluids, chew sugarless gum, and occasionally suck on sugarless hard candy.

It's always a struggle😔. 

Kathy

[Kristian]

I use exovac too, pilocarpine didn't do anything for me in comparison.

My doc found a phenomenal prescription spray called aquaoral that actually stimulates saliva production and has a lubricating effect.

I also use biotene spray during the day and biotene gel at night.  The exotic made a huge difference in quality of life for me..

Keep trying until you find what works :-)

[jkcc2323]

1- Ubiquinol 200mg before sleep (with Omega 3 pill for absorbtion)

2- I use Pilocarpine eye drops as a mouthwash by swishing a few drops around in my mouth.
This stimulates saliva flow.
I do this since I can't tolerate the Salagen pills (plus the eye drops are much cheaper).

Very interesting about the ubiquinol. I wonder if it plays a role in helping with dry mouth? There is research on CoQ10 helping with periodontal disease - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991687/

One note about ubiquinol and CoQ10 for those interested. Regular CoQ10/ubiquinol is poorly absorbed by the body, but studies show that a water and fat-soluble form is better absorbed and leads to higher plasma levels.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Plasma+coenzyme+Q10+response+to+oral+ingestion+of+coenzyme+Q10+formulation

[araminta]

Dry mouth is not my worst symptom, it seems to come and go a bit during the day, and is worse at night.   Sugar-free chewing gum has been the best thing for me.   Biotene mouth gel gave me some kind of allergic reaction.   I avoid very dry food.

[Nymph]

N-acetyl cysteine

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies - hopefully they are useful to others seeking a remedy too.

I've tried most things mentioned, but unfortunately Evoxac is not available in my country. I still take pilocarpine but like cccourt1942 I find it's becoming less effective over time.

@Nymph: yes, N-acetyl cysteine worked for me too, but caused weight gain. Have you noticed this side effect too?
@Katie1111: MedActive oral relief lozenges sound promissing, are they expensive & how many do you take?

By the way, I'm trying "slippery elm" at the moment. When taken simultaneously with Pilocarpine it causes a little saliva flood - but I'm bracing myself for the side effects, which will usually either be constipation/weight gain/depression - or all of them at once 

[Nymph]

Hi Maria. No, I am underweight and have not found anything that makes me gain! 

[Maria3667]

Hi Nymph,

Wish that would be one of my side effects but I always seem to get the opposite. Even though I can imagine being underweight comes with its own set of problems ...

Take care !

[DP]

I take ubiquinol, drink lots of water, and try not to take antihistamines too often (for sleep).

I recently switched to ACT Dry Mouth toothpaste and finally my gums have stopped bleeding every morning & night when I brush my teeth! And it really is a soothing mild minty flavor, not harsh & drying like regular toothpaste.

Dawn