Dry mouth can be a real problem for seniors. Medications, dry air, and other conditions can cause dry mouth. Seniors tend to be dehydrated, which can often worsen dry mouth. Dry mouth is more than just an irritation. It can make it difficult for seniors to safely chew and swallow their food. It can make it difficult for seniors to sleep peacefully at night. If your senior parent suffers from dry mouth, there are medications that may help. There are also some home remedies that can ease the dryness almost immediately, like:
Sip Water Consistently
Drinking water and staying hydrated is one of the best ways to combat dry mouth. But to provide long-term relief from dry mouth, seniors should consistently sip water throughout the day. Elder care providers can remind seniors to drink throughout the day and ensure they have plenty of cool water to drink. Having elder care is a great way to ensure that your senior loved one is comfortable when you can’t be there to look out for them.
Get A Humidifier
Humidifiers are a great tool for seniors. Often homes have dry indoor air, especially older homes. When the air conditioner is running on high in the summer, or when the central heat is on and creating warm dry air indoors, the dry air can worsen the dry mouth. Having a humidifier in their bedroom at night can help seniors avoid snoring and other respiratory issues that can interfere with their sleep. And humidifiers in the living room or any other rooms where seniors spend a lot of time will help seniors manage dry mouth. Humidifies can also help manage indoor allergies.
Quit Smoking
Seniors who smoke should quit using tobacco products. There are many benefits to quitting smoking, including improving lung function and lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke. One of the benefits of quitting smoking is also having less of a problem with dry mouth. Smoking can cause severe dry mouth, especially if seniors also take medications that can have dry mouth as a side effect.
If your senior parent smokes or uses tobacco, you can talk to their doctor about medications that may help them quit. There’s also over the counter aids to help seniors stop smoking, like nicotine gum. Chewing gum increases saliva production, and that can also help alleviate dry mouth.
Use A Mouthwash Without Alcohol
An over the counter mouthwash for dry mouth without alcohol can provide instant relief for seniors with dry mouth. Seniors should use this type of mouthwash at night before bed to help stop dry mouth at night. Alcohol can dry out the mouth, so any mouthwash seniors use shouldn’t contain any alcohol. Mouthwashes with Xylitol can be effective at fighting dry mouth. If your senior loved one has questions about what mouthwash is best for them to use, ask their dentist for a recommendation.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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