Hot weather and dry mouth: what you need to know this summer

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As summer arrives, many of us are looking forward to warmer days, longer evenings, and more time spent outdoors. For those living with dry mouth, however, hot weather can bring added challenges.

Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. While this condition can stem from a range of causes, including medication, medical treatments, or underlying health issues, environmental factors such as heat and physical activity can exacerbate the symptoms significantly.

Why does hot weather make dry mouth worse?

During hot weather, the body naturally loses more moisture through sweating. Whether you’re gardening, walking the dog, or simply enjoying a picnic in the sun, your body is working harder to stay cool.

If you’re not drinking enough fluid to replace what is lost, you can easily become dehydrated. Saliva production relies on proper hydration, so even mild dehydration can reduce the flow of saliva, leaving your mouth feeling parched and uncomfortable.

The impact of outdoor activities 

Summer is a time for outdoor sports as well as picnics, barbecues, and trips to the beach. These activities often go hand in hand with eating dry, spicy or salty foods, and drinking coffee, alcohol, or sugary drinks, all of which can irritate dry oral tissues.

Saliva plays a key role in speaking, chewing, and swallowing. When it is in short supply, even everyday pleasures like enjoying a meal or chatting with friends can become uncomfortable or even painful.

In addition, exposure to dry, warm air, especially if you are spending a lot of time in air-conditioned environments, can strip away the little moisture present in your mouth, compounding the problem.

How to stay comfortable on hot days

Fortunately, there are ways to minimise the impact of heat and summer activities on dry mouth symptoms:

  • Stay well hydrated: Carry a bottle of water with you and sip regularly throughout the day.
  • Avoid triggers: Limit alcohol, caffeine, and salty snacks which can worsen dryness.
  • Opt for moist foods: Incorporate hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes.
  • Use a specially formulated dry mouth product: This is where Oralieve can help.

The Oralieve dry mouth relief range is specially designed to provide lasting relief from the discomfort of dry mouth. Formulated to mimic the natural properties of saliva, Oralieve products help soothe and protect oral tissues, offering immediate and long-lasting moisture when you need it most.

While summer brings its own set of joys, it is important not to overlook how the season can affect your oral comfort if you live with dry mouth. With mindful hydration, smart choices, and support from trusted products like Oralieve, you can enjoy everything the sunny season has to offer, without dry mouth holding you back. 

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