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What do you do for dry mouth?

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    What do you do for dry mouth?

    One of the meds I just started taking seems to really dry out my mouth. Other than drinking water constantly (which just worsens the symptom the med is supposed to treat ) what have you all found that helps with dry mouth?
    2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

    #2
    I was told to chew gum, which really helps. Or suck on Lemon Drops. I have them but haven't needed to use those yet. I am a smoker and I realized that smoking increased it BIG TIME!! I am quitting now and have had hardly any problem with the dry mouth due to quitting and the gum.

    I agree water makes it worse.
    Love, Laugh, Live...in this order
    Dx'd 2-24-11 - Baclofen 60 mg/day 5-11, LDN 4.5 mg/day 9-24-11, Cymbalta 60mg/day for pain 11-11

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      #3
      Can't offer any input on your question, but i did want to add that oral health becomes so much more important with dry mouth...thats what i worry about. I rinse with act II mouth wash, take calcium supplements brush teeth 2x a day floss omnce.

      the salavia in the mouth kills bacteia & helps food that cause decay not stay stationary for a great length of time.

      so besides the discomfort of dry mouth think about the oral health, brush teeth more often or see and the dentist with more billable hours in the future.

      sugarless gum & sugar less lemon drops if possible.
      xxxxxxxxxxx

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        #4
        Dry Mouth

        Artificial saliva exists. I haven't used it but your dentist can help you with that. Dry mouth can cause all sorts of oral problems.
        techie
        Another pirated saying:
        Half of life is if.
        When today is bad, tomorrow is generally a better day.
        Dogs Rule!

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          #5
          i use Hall's sugar free cough drops and Biotene mouth spray and mouth wash.

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            #6
            Originally posted by jayjee View Post
            Biotene mouth spray and mouth wash.
            Biotene also make a gum.
            I use all three products. They seem to work pretty well.

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              #7
              Between meds and radiation treatment for tongue and neck cancer my syliva glands are totally fried, tryed all the tricks including all biotene products with no success, I did for a while use some swabs that I got from CVS that were flavored that you swabbed your mouth with and they seemed to help the most, drinking does not help me at all.
              Plan for the future, but not too hard; it’s not your decision anyway

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                #8
                I cannot stress enough taking care of dry mouth. I had few dental problems prior to getting diagnosed and being put on, basically, a butt ton of meds. I knew I had dry mouth, but I didn't do anything about it. In 2008, because I'd already had so many teeth pulled due to abscesses, and basically had 4 teeth in my mouth that didn't need anything done with them, the rest did (and Medicaid doesn't pay for root canals on molars, only pays to pull them), my new dentist basically told me I needed to have all of my teeth removed. They all came out on the same day, and it was painful. Because Medicaid has to approve dentures (which takes a month, and they won't approve them before all the teeth were out) I couldn't even get fitted for dentures for three weeks. Between all the fittings, it was months before I got my new teeth.

                (sad thing is, now I'm more comfortable without my dentures in). I've told my kids, don't take your teeth for granted, you don't want to end up like me.
                Diagnosis: May, 2008
                Avonex, Copaxone, Tysabri starting 8/17/11

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by tommylee View Post
                  Biotene also make a gum.
                  I use all three products. They seem to work pretty well.
                  Biotene makes really good products, I've used the mouthwash and the spray.

                  Years ago I tried hard candies, but they can give you dental problems. The sugar free stuff gives me stomach problems.

                  So I developed a strategy...I took a small piece of ginger root (peel it first) and I suck on it. (it's an acquired taste, LOL)...quite spicy. But it helps especially if you're having a conversation with someone and your mouth tends to dry out (not like you can take a swish of biotene at that point )...so the ginger works.

                  I didn't know there was biotene gum, I might have to check into that.

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                    #10
                    My teeth are shot from the radiation, ate the enamel up, have four the have cracked since and 3 fillings that have fallen out, waiting to get in to see dentist at local med school (no charge for extraction and low cost on dentures), will have them all pulled and get a set of choppers that I can drop off and leave if they need work.
                    Plan for the future, but not too hard; it’s not your decision anyway

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                      #11
                      Thanks so much for the replies! I bought the Biotene oral rinse and spray, and also picked up some Halls sugar-free lozenges and some sugar-free candies. I actually didn't realize dry mouth can cause oral health issues (just thought it was uncomfortable) so that's good to know!
                      2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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                        #12
                        Wow, there's just no end to this wonderful disease, is there. I have been getting dry mouth too from a muscle relaxer that I take a lot of. I thought drinking lots of water would help. Does it not? It doesn't seem to, but I just figured it *would* help if I didn't have to keep popping pills.

                        My teeth are my enemies. I just love hearing that this dry mouth could lead to even more cavities and teeth problems for me.
                        Proud Mom of three kids!
                        dx'd 1996

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