For singers, their voice is their currency. The state of their vocal health can either make or break their career. Unfortunately, some health conditions can negatively impact one’s voice. One of these conditions is dry mouth. 

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a common but often ignored condition associated with reduced saliva flow. Though seemingly harmless, this condition can affect a person’s health, diet, and way of living. In fact, it can be a symptom of an underlying health problem.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dry mouth is common among individuals who are:

• Undergoing chemotherapy 
• Taking medicines 
• Suffering from autoimmune disease, diabetes, infections, etc.
• Dealing with hormonal changes

Meanwhile, some performers experience Xerostomia due to stress and anxiety. While stress and anxiety do not induce dry mouth directly, there are a few related physiological processes that can. For instance: 

• When anxious, you are more likely to breathe through your mouth. Air, then, passes through your oral cavity and dries up your saliva.
• Intense anxiety makes someone prone to acid reflux symptoms. This can change the production of saliva.
• Being stressed or frightened stimulates your body’s fight-or-flight response. This affects how fluids circulate in your systems.

Additionally, some habits may cause Xerostomia, such as drinking alcohol, use of tobacco, or excessive intake of caffeine or spicy food.  

How Dry Mouth Affects Singers

As previously stated, experiencing Xerostomia is common. However, its effects can be bothersome. Here are four reasons why singers must be wary of catching it:

1. Oral discomfort and pain. Individuals with Xerostomia may develop sores at the corners of their mouth. This can also make one’s tongue feel dry and rough.
2. Oral infections. Dry mouth can cause recurrent diseases like oral candidiasis, a type of fungal infection.
3. Swallowing or talking difficulty. Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulty that can occur due to dry mouth.  
4. Bad breath. A dry mouth causes bad breath. This does not directly affect singing, but it can lead to unwanted oral health issues, such as tooth decay and sensitivity.

Save Your Singing Voice

Prevention is always better than cure. The following are some practical tips to help you deal with dry mouth: 

• Regular dental consultations. Dental procedures like fluoride applications and professional teeth cleanings prevent dryness in the mouth. They also prevent caries, periodontal disease, and yeast infections.
• Proper oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing with prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste may help, in addition to your usual routine.  
• Drink more water. Dehydration leads to Xerostomia. Drinking water frequently can reduce the incidence of oral dryness. 
• Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Consuming the following causes dehydration, which, in turn, worsens dry mouth: 
  • High-sugar food (e.g., pastries, gums, and candies)
  • Acidic beverages (e.g., carbonated and citrus drinks)
  • Caffeinated products (e.g., coffee, tea, and soft drinks)
• Use a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which aids in preventing dry vocal cords. Use one while sleeping or practicing your songs.

Dry Mouth Sprays Help

Dry mouth sprays are over-the-counter (OTC) products that moisturize and lubricate the oral tissues by working as a saliva substitute. Though they only provide short-term relief, their benefits cannot be ignored. 

Here are four ways dry mouth sprays benefit singers:

1. Hydrates dry mouth. A dry mouth spray leaves a protective layer of moisture on the tissues in your mouth, which helps relieve dryness.
2. Stimulates saliva flow. It contains saliva substitutes that tentatively replaces your natural saliva.
3. Freshens breath. Dry mouth spray with Xylitol has a natural sweetener that is safe and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Xylitol is a substance that hinders the growth of tooth decay-causing bacteria that results in bad breath. 
4. Handy. It is convenient to carry since it’s portable. Use on-the-go.

Some dry mouth sprays contain sugar and alcohol that further aggravate dryness. Be sure to check the ingredients before buying.

Take Care of Your Oral Health Like a PRO

Although dry mouth sprays are only temporary cures, it’s necessary to choose carefully what product to use. An excellent dry mouth spray for singers is one that works like a PRO. 

PRO-SYS moisturizing dry mouth spray gives you instant relief from dry mouth. It is a sugar and alcohol-free dry mouth spray with mint flavor. Perfect to hydrate your oral tissues and give you fresh breath. 
Shop now to get your own PRO-SYS moisturizing dry mouth spray.