Coping With Persistent Dry Mouth Months After COVID-19 Infection

One of the most troublesome lingering symptoms many people experience months after recovering from COVID-19 is chronic dry mouth and lack of saliva production. This frustrating condition can persist for weeks or months after the acute viral illness has passed.

While dry mouth usually resolves on its own eventually, it significantly impacts quality of life in the meantime. Understanding what causes this COVID side effect and finding ways to stimulate saliva production can help manage this troubling complaint.

What Causes Dry Mouth After COVID-19?

There are a few reasons why dry mouth, medically termed xerostomia, commonly occurs in COVID long haulers:

Salivary gland damage The virus may damage the salivary glands, impairing their ability to produce saliva. Studies show SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect and inflame these glands.
Medications Post-viral dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications prescribed to treat COVID-19 infection.
Breathing through mouth Many people subconsciously breathe through their mouths after COVID, drying out the oral cavity.
Dehydration Insufficient fluid intake compounds dry mouth. COVID recovery depletes the body of water.
Nerve damage Inflammation may damage the nerves signaling salivary gland secretion.

For most post-COVID patients, dry mouth results from a combination of these assaulting factors on the bodys saliva production systems. The good news is that this bothersome symptom does eventually resolve in the majority of cases.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth After COVID-19

How do you know if youre experiencing excessive dry mouth months after recovering from COVID? Common symptoms include:

Constant thirst
Difficulty eating dry foods
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Burning sensation or soreness in mouth/throat
Cracked lips/corners of mouth
Bad breath
Red, raw tongue
Mouth sores or ulcers
White coating on tongue
Increased dental cavities

Pay attention if your mouth feels drier than normal or you notice these issues months after your initial COVID infection, as prompt treatment will help minimize long-term complications.

Potential Complications of Chronic Dry Mouth

While dry mouth seems like an annoying but harmless problem, the lack of saliva can lead to the following oral health complications if left untreated long-term:

Tooth decay - Saliva contains antibacterial compounds that prevent cavities and gum disease.
Bad breath - Saliva washes away odor-causing bacteria.
Mouth sores - Saliva contains growth factors that help heal mouth ulcers.
Oral thrush - A yeast infection becomes more likely without salivas protective mechanisms.
Difficulty speaking - Saliva lubricates the mouth muscles needed for speech.
Difficulty swallowing - Food can get stuck without salivas lubricating properties.
Taste impairment - Saliva helps transmit tastes to the taste buds.

The discomfort and quality of life impacts of dry mouth coupled with these potential issues underscore the importance of implementing solutions to stimulate saliva flow.

Medical Treatments for Post-COVID Dry Mouth

If your dry mouth persists weeks after recovering from COVID, make sure to visit your doctor or dentist. They can examine your mouth and prescribe treatments to help stimulate saliva production, including:

Medications

Drugs like pilocarpine and cevimeline mimic parasympathetic nerve signaling to spur salivary gland secretion. Side effects may include sweating, GI upset, and urinary frequency.

Oral Rinses

Medicated rinses with xylitol, fluoride, and antimicrobial ingredients provide temporary moisture while protecting teeth from cavities.

Oral Sprays

Sprays delivering human salivary enzymes help mimic healthy saliva. These provide antioxidant, remineralization, and antibacterial effects.

Gel/Lozenge

Oral moisturizing gels and lozenges coat the mouth to provide temporary symptom relief and protect fragile tissues.

Your provider can recommend the most appropriate treatments and prescribe medicated mouth products to provide relief while your saliva function hopefully rebounds.

Natural Remedies to Stimulate Saliva Production

Along with medical therapies, incorporating certain natural remedies into your daily routine can help perk up saliva flow after COVID:

Proper Hydration

Drinking plenty of water is vital to producing adequate saliva. Aim for at least 64 ounces per day. Add lemon can stimulate flow.

Xylitol Gum/Mints

Chewing 100% xylitol gum or sucking mints signals saliva production while also limiting bacterial overgrowth and tooth decay.

Bitter Foods

Eating something bitter like lemon rind, dandelion greens, or arugula triggers taste receptors that activate salivary glands.

Probiotic Foods

Consuming probiotic yogurt, kefir, kimchi, etc. helps balance oral microbiome populations, preventing pathogenic bacterial overgrowth from dry mouth.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Swishing diluted ACV briefly before spitting provides antimicrobial benefits while stimulating saliva through its sourness.

Sugar-Free Citrus Sours

Sucking on tart lemon or orange sours signals salivary glands to secrete more fluid.

Be consistent applying these natural saliva remedies throughout your day for best results.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Dry Mouth

Making certain lifestyle adjustments can also minimize dry mouth symptoms:

Avoid dry environments Use a humidifier at home and drink plenty of water in dry climates.
Breathe through your nose Avoid open-mouth breathing which dries the mouth.
Limit caffeine/alcohol These dehydrate the body.
Stop smoking/vaping Inhaled smoke dehydrates oral tissues.
Manage anxiety Stress and anxiety reduce saliva so implement relaxation techniques.
Modify diet Eat moist, soft foods and avoid excess salty, spicy, sugary, acidic foods that irritate.
Improve sleep hygiene Sleep deprivation exacerbates dry mouth.

Making a conscious effort to keep your mouth moisturized and minimizing risk factors will reduce dry mouth irritation.

Oral Care Tips for Dry Mouth Relief

Proper oral care is especially crucial when dealing with persistent dry mouth to protect your teeth and oral tissues from damage. Helpful oral hygiene tips include:

Brush gently - Use an extra soft toothbrush and gentle motions when brushing.
Fluoride toothpaste - Choose a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste to protect teeth from cavities.
Floss daily - Carefully floss to remove debris between teeth.
Antimicrobial rinse - Swish briefly with non-alcohol mouthwash to reduce bacteria.
Lip balm - Keep lips moisturized with thick balms containing beeswax, coconut oil, etc.
Gel before bed - Apply moisturizing oral gel at night to soothe tissues.
Tongue scraper - Gently scrape tongue to remove bacteria-harboring coating.
Oral moisturizer - Use a mouth moisturizing spray as needed for dryness relief.

Practicing excellent oral hygiene minimizes the risks of dry mouth complications.

When to See a Doctor

You should consult your physician or dentist promptly if:

Dry mouth symptoms dont start improving within several weeks
You experience worsening tooth decay or gum problems
You have difficulty speaking or swallowing due to dry mouth
Oral thrush or mouth ulcers develop
You suspect medication side effects may be contributing

A doctor can check for underlying conditions contributing to persistent dry mouth, provide medical treatments to stimulate saliva flow, and monitor you for potential complications.

Outlook for Post-COVID Dry Mouth

The good news is dry mouth eventually resolves for the majority of patients in the months after COVID-19 infection. However, its crucial to implement both medical and natural solutions in the meantime to manage symptoms and prevent long-term oral health damage.

Be patient and consistent applying these dry mouth remedies and protective oral hygiene practices. Notify your healthcare providers promptly if symptoms dont start to improve within several weeks or you experience any concerning changes in oral health.

With proper care, dry mouth from long COVID will eventually dissipate and saliva production will return to normal. Just stick with your treatment plan and healthy habits in the meantime for the best outcome.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.