Foods That Stimulate Saliva Production
Drinking eight to 10 cups of liquid every day when you have dry mouth is a common recommendation, and these beverages should ideally be sugar free since tooth decay and dry mouth go hand in hand. Water is the best choice, but sugar-free juices and hot tea are acceptable. When you are ready to try a natural way to improve saliva production through the foods that you eat and you have the OK from your dentist, the following foods and drinks can help stimulate saliva flow:
- Apples. Chewing apples, which have a high water content, can increase salivation by stimulating the activity of the salivary glands and moisturizing the mouth. Apple juice can also stimulate saliva production. Just remember that apples do contain acids that can damage tooth enamel, so be sure to rinse with water afterward to balance out the pH in your mouth.
- Apple cider vinegar. Many home remedies are buoyed by apple cider vinegar which can be used as a mouthwash, to freshen breath, and to moisturize the mouth. Put a tablespoon of the vinegar in a glass of water and rinse your mouth a few times to get the biggest benefit.
- Hard cheeses. Cheese offers multiple benefits for oral health. Cheese counteracts the acidity of saliva while the strong flavor of cured cheese can increase saliva flow. Cheese is also good for the remineralization of teeth thanks to ingredients like milk protein, phosphates, and, of course, calcium.
- Chewy vegetables. Veggies that must be crunched into and that require vigorous chewing – like raw carrots, celery, and cucumbers – aid in stimulating saliva production. These foods also have a high water content which helps hydrate the mouth.
- Citrus. Sour or tart citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit, orange, cranberry, or kiwi can kick your salivary glands into action just thinking about them. But though these foods do make your mouth pucker and trigger a saliva release, they come with a high acid content which could damage tooth enamel – always rinse your teeth with milk or water after eating citrus to balance out the pH of your mouth.
- Spices. Certain spices work well to remedy dry mouth by stimulating the salivary glands as well as taste buds. You don’t have to eat the spices directly of course, but rather cook pasta, salads, soups, or other dishes with liberal applications of cayenne pepper, fennel, ginger, or cardamom.
- Endive. As a bitter-tasting vegetable, the endive can also activate salivary glands, but you don’t have to suffer with it raw and on its own. Season meals or savory desserts with endive for less of a punch but the same salivary effect.
It’s also important to know what foods aggravate dry mouth. These can include wine, coffee, soda, tea, salty nuts, dry crackers, sugary desserts, or popcorn. If you’re suffering with low saliva production, cut back on these foods and beverages for the time being.