Programs and Services

Nutrition Services

Dry Mouth and Thick Saliva

• Drink eight to 12 cups (8 ounce cups) of fluid each day.
• Sip 100% pure, papaya juice to stimulate saliva and break up secretions.
• Use lemons and lemon juice to help increase production of saliva. Be careful if you have mouth sores or mucositis, as citrus and acidic foods may irritate them and cause pain.
• Use fluids other than water, such as non-acidic juices, to aid with hydration and increase calorie intake.
• Try stews and casseroles that contain plenty of liquid, such as those made with soups as the base ingredient
• Try soft cooked chicken and fish, tofu, thinned cereals, such as oatmeal made with plenty of water or milk, popsicles, shakes, smoothies, and slushies, warm soups and stews, canned fruit in its liquid.
• Blend or moisten foods with yogurt, tofu, pudding, soft cereals such as oatmeal, cream of wheat and malt-o-meal, warm water, juice, milk, soy milk, rice milk, etc.
• Add broth, sauces, gravy, or soup to soften and moisten foods.
• Use yogurt, juice, or jelly to make foods ‘slide’ down a dry throat easier.
• Avoid or limit caffeinated foods and beverages such as coffee, caffeinated tea, and colas.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and mixed drinks – alcohol will dry the mouth further.
• Avoid dry foods including tough meats, raw vegetables, breads, pretzels, rice, chips, muffins, and cakes.
• Avoid commercial mouthwashes – these contain alcohol which will dry the mouth further.