Since a dry mouth is also indication that other digestive glands are also dry, Ayurveda recommends that you maintain a moist, juicy mouth at all times. Saliva is the most important digestive aid. Thorough chewing ensures optimal mixing of food with saliva. Saliva also contains enzymes, antiseptics, and antibodies that digest food between teeth and kill bacteria that cause tooth decay. Inadequate saliva can lead to increased cavities. At night, production of saliva drops. Always brush your teeth upon waking to reduce buildup of bacteria in the night.
Xerostemia is prevalent among the elderly. Although salivary gland output drops only modestly as you age, your sense of thirst weakens and this could lead to inadequate fluid intake. The elderly also take more medications. Many pharmaceuticals can lead to dry mouth.
Salivary glands normally produce .75 - 1.5 liters of fluid per day. A dry mouth can be a sign of inadequate hydration, one of the earliest signs of high Vata. Although drinking too little fluids can be a leading cause of dehydration, do not overlook sweating, loose stools, excess urination, and electrolyte imbalance as causes of dehydration. When the blood is toxic or after you have eaten a diuretic food, the kidneys will flush excess water out of the body (via the urine) along with toxins. This, along with various kidney deficiencies, can make it difficult for some individuals to stay hydrated.
Kapha type dry mouth may be a sign of thick fluids and sluggish circulation, making saliva thick and tacky. It can also be a sign of high blood sugar (especially in diabetics) or sodium levels. Salt and sugar, because of their effects on osmotic pressure, create strong thirst.
Pitta-Kapha type dry mouth occurs in pear shaped individuals, where fluids collect in the lower extremities, and the top remains dry.
Other common causes include mouth breathing especially due to a stuffed nose. Although saliva naturally decreases at night, if your mouth feels parched upon waking, you might be mouth breathing while sleeping. Stress and fear can make the mouth pasty. Saliva stimulated by stress is also thicker than saliva stimulated by food. Alcohol, diuretics, and astringents, especially mouthwash, can create a dry mouth. Dry mouth is also related to dry eyes, the inability to cry, dry skin, and a hoarse voice.
Once hydrated, Vata may employ sialogogues to directly increase production of saliva. Foods with sour, salty, sweet, bitter, or umami taste stimulate saliva. Ginger is a stimulating sialogogue. A slice of fresh ginger stimulates saliva. Or, enjoy a ginger tea with a squeeze of lime, pinch of salt, and a pinch of sugar.
Saliva is also stimulated by the sight, smell and taste of desirable food. Desire itself stimulates saliva. Chewing stimulates saliva, as well as palpation of the salivary glands. Try chewing gum (sugar-free) to keep your mouth moist.
For Pitta-Kapha Type Dry Mouth, eliminate the underlying fungal infection by reducing simple carbs and sugars, and with anti-fungal herbs or ointments.
If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and biocharacteristics.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances. Symptoms show you where your body is weakened. Ultimately, all disease has a root in tissues too weak to defend itself. Ayurveda describes these patterns of weakness using doshas & biocharacteristics. If you notice a biocharacteristic or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.BIOCHARACTERISTIC | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
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VATA | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Vata' dosha. |
DIFFICULT | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods. |
DRY | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna. |
GOOEY | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Gooey' guna. |
LIQUEFIED | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Liquefied' guna. |
TOXIC | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna. |
ASTRINGENT | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Astringent' taste. |
SWEET | FIND OUT Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sweet' taste. |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them. See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.