What activities should someone with dry mouth avoid?

If you have dry mouth, it is recommended to avoid irritants, such as alcohol, tobacco and caffeine drinks, such as soda, coffee and tea. Eating salty or spicy foods can also be an irritant. In addition, there are more than 400 drugs that have a side effect of dry mouth. Talk to your doctor who may be able to recommend an alternative drug.

If you have dry mouth (called xerostomia), you need to avoid the following activities:

• letting your mouth get too dry (drink liquids or swish water in your mouth; chew sugar free gum or suck on sugar free candy to boost saliva)
• smoking cigarettes
• drinking alcohol 
• letting the bedroom get too dry (use a humidifier to add moisture to the air)

Continue to see your doctor to make sure dry mouth is not linked to an illness such as diabetes, a disorder that disrupts the way the body uses glucose, or a medication such as an antihistamine.

There are not really any activities you should avoid if you have dry mouth, or xerostomia. For the most part, people with dry mouth can live a full life. That said, you should try to refrain from consuming alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine, as they can increase the symptoms of dry mouth.