3 powerful tips to prevent dry mouth during fasting

Almost all people who fast, usually complain of dry mouth. Obviously, this is because you do not get food and drink intake for approximately 13-14 hours. If you have this, an unpleasant aroma will automatically come out of the mouth. Hmm… It must be uncomfortable to talk when your mouth is not fresh, right? So, is there a way to prevent dry mouth (xerostomia) during fasting so as not to cause bad breath?

Why can the mouth feel dry when fasting?

To answer this question, Hello Sehat discussed with a dental health practitioner as well as a periodontist specialist, drg. Yudha Rismanto, Sp.Perio. When you are fasting, your mouth will generally feel dry and not like normal days.

The main reason, of course, is because you do not eat and drink at all from morning to evening towards the evening. This condition ultimately triggers the body to regulate the work of the nervous system, in order to reduce the amount of saliva (saliva) produced.

"The effect of not getting this food and drink intake leads to reduced saliva production. As a result, your mouth will feel dry when you are fasting. But actually, this condition of the mouth is not dry, but it becomes more coarse, "said drg. Yudha when met at SMPN 3, South Jakarta on Tuesday (26/3).

"This is because the pH in the body during fasting usually decreases, causing an acidic atmosphere in the mouth," continued drg. Yudha. This mouth condition that is different from usual causes bad breath when you fast.

Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis in medical parlance, is the result of lowering the pH of the body. Normally, your body's pH should be between 6.5-7. If it is below that number it means it is classified as acidic, and more than that, it is alkaline.

"Well, when the body's pH drops or becomes acidic, germs and bacteria in the mouth will automatically grow faster. Acidic conditions provide an ideal environment for germs and bacteria to breed. That is why the mouth feels rough which then creates an unpleasant aroma, "said drg. Yudha further.

Another cause of dry mouth is fasting

In addition to the things that have been described previously, the condition of dry mouth during fasting can get worse if it is accompanied by the habit of smoking and drinking alcohol daily. This is because smoking and drinking alcohol without knowing it will affect the amount of saliva production (saliva) in the mouth.

The substance in it can actually reduce the amount of saliva produced by the salivary glands in the mouth. That is why smokers tend to have less saliva than nonsmokers. This low production of saliva is what causes dry mouth if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Not only that. Various health conditions, such as yeast infection in the mouth, diabetes, HIV / AIDS, and stroke can also cause dry mouth. Various types of drugs, whether prescribed or purchased over the counter, can make your mouth feel dry.

For example drugs for diarrhea, colds, high blood pressure (hypertension), pain relievers, and others. Especially when you take these drugs while fasting. Do not rule out, dry mouth conditions can get worse.

How to prevent dry mouth when fasting?

In more severe cases, dry mouth can make lips dry and chapped. Instead of displaying healthy lips, dry mouth will actually make your lips look pale. In order to be more comfortable while fasting, drg. Yudha explained several surefire ways to prevent dry mouth, namely:

1. Routinely rinse your mouth

You can routinely rinse your mouth when you want to worship. Indirectly, this method can raise the pH level in the mouth. This means that the pH level that was originally acidic can change to a more neutral level thanks to gargling.

Not only that. Even during activities while fasting, you can rinse your mouth with clean water to reduce the acidity of the pH in your mouth.

2. Be diligent in brushing your teeth

Even though you are fasting, don't forget to keep your teeth and mouth clean to prevent dry mouth. One easy way is to regularly brush your teeth every day. For example, after sahur or when you shower in the morning, and at night before going to bed.

3. Adjust the intake of food and drinks when breaking the fast

"Then, try to eat and drink in moderation, and reduce consumption of sweet foods and drinks when breaking your fast," suggested drg. Yudha. Because according to him, sweet foods and drinks, which in fact contain a lot of sugar, will actually increase the acid level in the mouth.

Instead, it is recommended that you consume more sources of fiber when breaking your fast. "The nature of fiber itself is basically able to clean the surface of the mouth, as well as easier to clean than a source of sweeteners or sugar. So actually, fasting is not an obstacle for us to keep our teeth and mouth clean, ”concluded drg. Yudha.

Therefore, it would be nice to gargle more after consuming sugary foods and drinks, as a way to prevent dry mouth. Also, make sure you don't forget to brush your teeth before going to bed to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.