What helps ease a dry mouth in an elderly person?

[NetZeroZealot]

My dear old Dad is complaining of a dry mouth. Maybe caused by one of the drugs he is on.

He eats hardly anything, doesn't want to keep drinking water as it makes him pee, and it is hard to get to the bathroom.

I have suggested Mum gets him some boiled sweets, like Werthers. Anyone got any other useful advice to share please? Thanks. I am finding this Board very helpful, everything seems to be changing so quickly.

You can buy gel for dry mouths.

You could also try the little sponge on a stick
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sponge-Swabs-Disposable-Cleaning-Dental/dp/B0BWRGNLMB/ref=asc_df_B0BWRGNLMB/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=641725121663&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7439913268902544258&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045429&hvtargid=pla-2195363251349&psc=1&mcid=7da774d0b0b437609ceffb66af66ae79

There's a gel that you can put in the mouth that helps, I had it in hospital. I can't remember what it's called though sorry...

What about slivers of watermelon?

Sips of pineapple juice helps to stimulate saliva, you can also get an artificial saliva spray either on prescription or a quick Google shows some available online.

Oralieve mouth gel.

Thank you. So helpful! Obviously I did google and none of these suggestions came up...

Try these - https://www.jellydrops.com/ expensive but highly recommended
I also give my MIL jellies in pots like you get in the supermarket

My dh uses xylimelts when he uses his CPAP. They seem to be suitable for daytime use too. They are discs you stick to your gum/teeth and help keep the mouth moist

You can get saliva spray, mouth gel and jelly sweets, his doctor can prescribe these or ask at the pharmacy. Would he enjoy ice cream, mousse, jelly. Not drinking will make his mouth and tongue even drier and cause dehydration.

Pineapple juice was recommended for dry mouth when I sang in a choir.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biotene-Mouth-Mouthwash-Moisturising-500ml/dp/B003O93LNM/ref=asc_df_B003O93LNM/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309981954457&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3310745130564548338&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045283&hvtargid=pla-487426391900&psc=1&mcid=22cbc4f4aade38e78c633bab881adc00&th=1&psc=1

The jelly drops are excellent.also maybe bubble tea

Ask your dentist to prescribe some artificial saliva and possibly some strong fluoride toothpaste ( dry mouth causes your teeth to be more prone to developing caries

He could be dehydrated if he's restricting his fluid intake. Does he wet himself? If so perhaps he should use pads. If this continues he could end up with a UTI and become very unwell very quickly.

I have Sjogrens which inhibits saliva. You can get lots of things to help on prescription. Biotene mouth wash and gels are the best. Don’t get Glandosane as it’s acidic and will damage teeth. Although it’s meant for oral thrush Daktarin oral gel is excellent at sticking overnight and providing relief. I get huge tubes on prescription and use it every night - can’t use it if he’s on warfarin though. Bubblemint xtra chewing gum (that particular flavour oddly enough) is well loved on the sjogrens forums!

In the bad old days, people used boiled sweets to stimulate salivation. My grandparents loved Werther's butterscotch and those stripy mint humbugs. If he's not diabetic, that could be worth a try - the jelly drops look like a healthier option, but it's also going to be down to personal preference.

Thanks everyone, I have passed on many of these suggestions.