What Drinks Are Good for Dry Mouth?

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, around 10% of adults suffer from dry mouth, a condition also known as xerostomia. Finding relief starts with understanding what drinks are good for dry mouth and how they can help you manage symptoms effectively. While plain water is a good starting point, several other beverages can provide both hydration and soothing benefits.

Quick Summary

Managing dry mouth involves choosing hydrating, soothing beverages and avoiding dehydrating ones. Plain water, herbal teas, and certain milks can help relieve dryness and stimulate saliva production for better oral comfort.

Key Points

Prioritize Plain Water: Sip cold water regularly throughout the day for continuous hydration and relief from dry mouth symptoms.
Choose Herbal Teas: Opt for decaffeinated herbal teas like chamomile or ginger, which soothe irritation and stimulate saliva flow.
Soothe with Milk: Unsweetened milk and dairy alternatives can coat the mouth, offering immediate relief and comfort.
Avoid Dehydrating Drinks: Steer clear of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, soda) and alcohol, as they worsen dehydration and dryness.
Limit Sugar and Acidity: Stay away from sugary sodas and acidic juices to prevent irritation and minimize the risk of tooth decay in a vulnerable oral environment.
Opt for Mild Temperatures: Drink beverages at a lukewarm or cool temperature, avoiding extreme heat or cold that can aggravate a sensitive mouth.
Stimulate Saliva Naturally: Consider fruit-infused water or chewing sugarless gum to help naturally increase saliva production.

Understanding Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Saliva is crucial for oral health; it neutralizes acids, helps digest food, and washes away food particles that could cause cavities. Symptoms can range from a sticky, dry feeling to difficulty speaking, swallowing, and an increased risk of gum disease. Common causes include medications, aging, cancer therapy, and certain diseases. Changing your beverage choices is one of the simplest and most effective strategies for managing this uncomfortable condition.

The Best Hydrating Drinks for Dry Mouth

When your mouth is dry, the immediate impulse might be to reach for anything to drink. However, not all beverages are created equal when it comes to soothing and hydrating a dry mouth. The best choices are those that hydrate without irritation and, ideally, help stimulate saliva production.

Plain Water

The most fundamental and essential beverage for dry mouth is plain water. Drinking water frequently throughout the day keeps your entire body hydrated and helps moisten your mouth. For best results, sip small amounts regularly rather than drinking large quantities at once. Keeping a water bottle on hand is a simple yet highly effective habit.

Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas can be incredibly soothing for a dry mouth. Teas like chamomile, ginger, and green tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can calm irritation. Ginger, in particular, is known to stimulate saliva flow. It's crucial to choose caffeine-free varieties, as caffeine can worsen dryness. Enjoy them warm or cold for a soothing effect.

Coconut Water

As a natural source of electrolytes, coconut water is excellent for restoring hydration. It helps combat overall dehydration, which is often a contributing factor to dry mouth, without the added sugars found in many commercial sports drinks.

Milk and Milk Alternatives

Milk and dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk can coat the mouth, providing immediate relief from dryness. The creamy texture helps soothe the tissues. Opt for unsweetened versions to avoid unnecessary sugar intake that can compromise oral health.

Fruit-Infused Water

If plain water is too bland, infusing it with fresh, non-acidic fruits and vegetables can add flavor without sugar. Cucumber, lemon slices (in moderation to avoid acidity), or berries can make hydration more appealing. Infused water also has a stimulating effect that encourages better saliva production.

Vegetable Juices and Smoothies

Fresh vegetable juices provide hydration and essential nutrients with low sugar content, making them a healthy option for dry mouth relief. Smoothies made from fruits and vegetables are also excellent, as their blended nature makes them easy to consume and hydrating. Use milk alternatives or water as a base for a smooth, moisturizing beverage.

The Drinks to Avoid with Dry Mouth

Just as some drinks help, others can make dry mouth symptoms significantly worse. Avoiding these is just as important as choosing the right ones.

Caffeinated Drinks

Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, certain teas, and many sodas, have diuretic effects that increase water loss and can dehydrate the body. This directly contributes to worsening dry mouth symptoms.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol, in both drinks and many mouthwashes, is a well-known dehydrator. It dries out the mouth and oral tissues, so limiting or completely avoiding alcohol is recommended to manage xerostomia.

Sugary and Acidic Juices and Sodas

Highly acidic fruit juices (like orange, apple, and grapefruit juice) and sugary sodas can irritate a dry, sensitive mouth. The high sugar content is also a major risk for tooth decay, which is already a heightened concern for those with reduced saliva flow. If you do drink juice, choose low-sugar varieties and rinse with water afterward.

Hot or Cold Extremes

Extremely hot or cold beverages can be irritating to the sensitive tissues of a dry mouth. Opt for lukewarm or room-temperature drinks to prevent discomfort.

Comparison of Drinks for Dry Mouth Relief


Beverage Category	Recommended for Dry Mouth?	Benefits for Dry Mouth	Why it Helps/Doesn't Help
Plain Water	Yes	Primary hydration, flushes food particles, keeps tissues moist	Essential for overall hydration and lubricating oral tissues.
Herbal Teas	Yes (Decaf)	Soothing, anti-inflammatory, can stimulate saliva	Certain herbs like ginger and chamomile calm irritation while providing moisture.
Coconut Water	Yes	Electrolytes, natural hydration	Rehydrates effectively without the high sugar of sports drinks.
Milk/Alternatives	Yes (Unsweetened)	Coats mouth, instant relief	Creamy texture provides immediate soothing comfort.
Fruit-Infused Water	Yes	Flavored hydration, saliva stimulation	Adds flavor to encourage more consistent sipping, uses non-irritating additions.
Coffee/Caffeinated Tea	No	N/A	Diuretic effect worsens dehydration and dryness.
Alcohol	No	N/A	Dehydrates oral tissues and worsens symptoms significantly.
Sugary Sodas	No	N/A	Acidic and high in sugar, irritates sensitive tissues and increases decay risk.

Conclusion

For individuals experiencing dry mouth, managing the condition effectively can significantly improve comfort and protect oral health. The right beverage choices play a central role in this management. Prioritizing plain water and sipping it frequently is the foundation of good hydration. Complementing this with soothing herbal teas, electrolyte-rich coconut water, and unsweetened milk alternatives can offer additional relief and encourage saliva production. Equally important is the discipline to avoid drinks known to exacerbate dryness, including caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as well as sugary and acidic sodas and juices. By making these mindful adjustments to your daily drinking habits, you can find lasting relief from the discomfort of dry mouth and maintain better oral health over the long term. For severe or persistent cases, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and personalized advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

While drinking lots of plain water is crucial for hydration and helps alleviate symptoms, it might not be a complete solution, especially for chronic dry mouth caused by underlying medical conditions or medications. Consistent sipping is more effective than large amounts at once.

Herbal, caffeine-free teas like chamomile and ginger are excellent for dry mouth. They are soothing and some, like ginger, help stimulate saliva production. Avoid traditional teas with caffeine, which can increase dehydration.

Yes, milk and unsweetened milk alternatives can be beneficial for dry mouth. Their creamy texture coats the oral tissues, providing instant soothing relief. It is best to choose unsweetened varieties to protect dental health.

Coffee contains caffeine, which has diuretic properties that increase fluid loss and can lead to dehydration. This effect worsens dry mouth symptoms, making it an unideal beverage choice.

Most fruit juices are not recommended due to their high acidity and sugar content, which can irritate sensitive oral tissues and increase the risk of tooth decay. If you do consume them, choose low-sugar options and rinse with water afterward.

Yes, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candies can effectively stimulate saliva flow. Opt for those sweetened with xylitol, which has added dental benefits.

Look for ingredients that promote hydration and soothe, such as aloe vera juice, ginger, and mint. Xylitol, often found in sugar-free products, also helps stimulate saliva and has oral health benefits.