Dry mouth

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many antidepressants.

Consider these strategies:

• Sip water regularly or suck on ice chips.
• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and caffeinated beverages because they can make your mouth drier.
• Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
• Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist regularly. Having a dry mouth can increase your risk of getting cavities.
• Talk to your doctor or dentist about over-the-counter or prescription medications for dry mouth.
• If dry mouth continues to be extremely bothersome despite the efforts above, ask your doctor the pros and cons of reducing the dosage of the antidepressant.