Dry mouth is a condition that occurs when the salivary gland cannot produce enough saliva to lubricate the mouth. This condition is also known as xerostomia. A dry mouth is often associated with cracked lips, a sticking feeling in the throat, and frequent thirst. This article talks about the symptoms, causes, and how you can manage it, and it also helps you find the best humidifier for dry mouth.
Many different things can cause it, but one of the main reasons is old age. Dry mouth occurs mainly in older people. Xerostomia can also result from side effects from medicines, diseases, nerve damage, etc. Knowing the root cause of your dry mouth before attempting to remedy it is crucial.
In some cases, dryness in the mouth can be a result of prevailing atmospheric conditions. When the ambient air is dry, it can lead to a dry mouth. In this case, you should consider getting a humidifier.
It works by increasing the relative humidity of your ambient air. Apart from enhancing your breathing, a humidifier will relieve you of the symptoms of dry mouth by circulating moist air through your room. Humidifiers come in diverse types and specifications, so you don’t just pick any device in the market. Some humidifiers are purposely designed to relieve you of the symptoms of dry mouth.
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How does a humidifier help with dry mouth?
Humidifiers work by increasing the relative humidity of a room. More humidity in your nasal airways means you’ll be able to breathe better. Humidifiers disperse mist and water vapor into the room, and when you breathe it in, it helps soothe the symptoms of dry mouth and throat.
Humidifiers come in cool mist or warm mist options. The cool mist can be used year-round, but the warm mist humidifier is more welcome during the cold winter nights. Whatever the option, the best humidifier for dry mouth at night is one that runs all night long without needing a refill.
How to pick the best humidifier for dry mouth?
We reviewed a lot of products, and we have come up with five best humidifiers for dry mouth. Each product has been tested, and they all meet our expectations.
Type of humidifier:
The type of humidifier you buy is dependent on the different attributes they have. Cool mist humidifiers release room temperature mist into the air. Though, it can bring down the temperature by a few degrees once in a while. Warm mist humidifiers disperse more heated vapor, and they can be very useful during cold nights.
Some humidifiers have the option of producing both cold and warm mist, but they are usually more expensive. You can also pick between an evaporative humidifier that uses less water but it noisier and an ultrasonic humidifier that has a very quiet operation and is more expensive.
Water tank capacity:
This is very important when picking a humidifier that should run through the night. The amount of mist generated is also dependent on the mist output of the humidifier. A humidifier with a 1-gallon water tank can end up staying longer than one with a 2-gallon tank.
Humidification coverage area
Most manufacturers state the coverage area of the humidifier. You should always buy one with a coverage area bigger than that of the room you want to humidify. Using a humidifier with a smaller coverage area and tank can lead to you refilling the tank constantly, and the humidity won’t be increased substantially.
Noise
If you’re a sound sleeper or you want to keep your humidifier in your child’s room, you might want to go for an ultrasonic humidifier. They run so quietly you forget they’re there. An evaporative humidifier isn’t a wrong choice either, especially if you’re not afraid of a little fan noise.
Price
Your budget plays a significant role in deciding which humidifier will go home with you. While there are humidifiers for every budget size, the most expensive isn’t always the best. Don’t feel obliged to go for it because it’s cheap. Take your time and look through the features to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
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Top 5 best humidifiers for dry mouth
1) Aircare 82600 space saver evaporative humidifier
Special features: Adjustable humidistat, Trapmax filter technology with antimicrobial protection, check filter light, water refill indicators
The Aircare space saver unit is a portable evaporative humidifier designed to humidify medium to large spaces. It has a large 6-gallon water tank that can keep running for over 24 hours straight. The tank can be filled from the front of the humidifier, or it can be detached and filled at the sink, making cleaning and refilling easy.
This evaporative humidifier adds invisible moisture to your indoor air easily, and it can increase your humidity levels up to 65%, which helps treat or alleviate symptoms of dry mouth and allergies. It is recommended that you keep moisture levels in your home at 40-50% to prevent microbial and bacterial growth.
This unit helps you get rid of pet dander, dust, and other allergens in the environment. It also decreases static electricity and stops your furniture from drying out. It has a humidification coverage of 2300 sq. Ft. It is also very energy-efficient and helps save up to 20%energy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large, easy to fill the tank | Has a very loud operation |
| Easy to clean | It is not budget-friendly |
| Replace filter indicator | |
| Humidifies large spaces within a few hours | |
| Maintains set humidity level | |
| 3 fan speeds |
2) Pure enrichment hume ultrasonic cool mist humidifier
Special features: 3.5 l water tank, variable mist settings, automatic shut-off, ultra-quiet operation.
This ultrasonic humidifier from Pure Enrichment has a 3.5l tank that can produce mist consistently, throughout the day and night. It has a maximum mist output of 300ml/hour and can keep your air humid even at the lowest setting.
The mist level is controlled by a dial that makes it easier for you to tailor your mist output to your taste. The water tank also has a wide opening to make refilling spill-free and cleaning easier. It is not compatible with essential oils so it is advisable to put only water in the water tank.
Plus, it is easy to install, and it also looks good thanks to its elegant design. It has a solid build and a 5-year warranty on the product. The tank has a wide opening, and it is very easy to clean and refill. It is advisable to use distilled water to avoid white dust emissions or use a decalcification filter to reduce the white dust.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has an adjustable humidity dial | It doesn’t disperse mist very far. Place a towel underneath it to soak up the spill |
| It has a large water tank | It emits white dust |
| It has a quiet operation(less than 35 db) | It tends to leak after a while |
| It is budget-friendly |
3) Honeywell HCM 710 cool mist humidifier
Special features: illuminated water window, 3-speed settings, antimicrobial filter
The Honeywell cool mist evaporative humidifier provides you and your home with cool, invisible vapor for up to 36 hours on the low setting. Its unique design features a top-fill 1-gallon tank that is easy to fill and clean. It is great for humidifying medium-sized rooms.
This humidifier uses a self-regulating evaporative humidifier system in which water is passed through a wick to form a vapor that is dispersed with a fan. It comes in 3 fan speeds to control the rate of humidification and the sound level. It also has an illuminated water window that shows you when it’s time to refill.
Moreover, it uses a replaceable filter that has been treated with Protec antimicrobial protection. It can prevent up to 99.99% of mold growth on the filter and helps it last longer. Know that we recommend that the filter is changed every six months.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is budget-friendly | It doesn’t have an auto-off feature |
| It is easy to disassemble and clean | It is very noisy on the high setting |
| The filter prevents bacterial and molds growth |
4) Bionaire ultrasonic warm and cool mist humidifiers
Special features: 2-gallon tank capacity, easy to use digital features, demineralization cartridge, antimicrobial protection, nightlight.
The Bionaire humidifier is one of the best humidifiers for dry mouth as it is capable of dispersing both cool and warm mist, depending on your preference. It has a detachable 2-gallon water tank that is easy to fill and clean. The humidifier has a handle that makes it easy to lug about.
This unit doesn’t use filters, but it uses a demineralization cartridge that absorbs the minerals that cause white dust emissions in most ultrasonic humidifiers. It also has antimicrobial protection and prevents the growth of mold.
The warm mist emitted by this humidifier is just some degrees above room temperature. It is handy, especially for children during winter nights, and can prevent a stuffy nose and a dry mouth.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for medium to large rooms | It is not budget-friendly |
| Adjustable dual faced nozzle | It doesn’t have a built-in humidistat |
| It has a large tank and a high output | It is prone to leaks |
| It has antimicrobial protection |
5) Air innovations MH-701BA cool mist digital humidifier
Special features: include a 1.7-gallon water tank, permanent ceramic filter, antimicrobial tank and base, five mist settings, adjustable humidistat, 15’ long neck attachment, and multi-direction nozzle.
