What lifestyle modifications can I suggest to patients suffering from dry mouth to alleviate their symptoms?

Lifestyle modifications recommended for patients experiencing dry mouth to alleviate symptoms include:

• Encourage regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing teeth twice daily with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, tongue cleaning, and good denture care to maintain oral moisture and prevent complications ¹.
• Increase fluid intake with frequent sips of cold, unsweetened drinks, water sprays, ice cubes, or ice lollies to stimulate saliva and soothe dryness ¹.
• Use sugar-free chewing gum, boiled sweets, pastilles, or mints to promote saliva production ¹.
• Avoid acidic foods (e.g., pineapple) or acidic artificial saliva products if the patient has natural teeth, as these can increase tooth decay risk in dry mouth ¹.
• Apply lip lubricants such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) or water-soluble lubricants (e.g., K-Y Jelly® if on oxygen) to prevent lip dryness and cracking ¹.
• Modify diet to exclude irritants such as garlic and onions that may exacerbate oral discomfort ¹.
• Advise smoking cessation to reduce oral dryness and improve overall oral health ¹.
• Rinse the mouth after meals and at bedtime with warm water or appropriate mouthwash (e.g., chlorhexidine if gum disease is present) to remove debris and maintain moisture ¹.

If symptoms persist, consider topical saliva stimulants or artificial saliva substitutes, noting patient preferences and cultural considerations regarding product ingredients ¹.