Susan Berkley

If you speak a lot during the day, you may find that your mouth becomes dry, even if you drink plenty of water. Here are some things that have worked for me:

1. ADD A LITTLE LEMON JUICE TO YOUR WATER The tartness stimulates the flow of saliva. And remember to drink at least 8 (or more!) glasses of water a day. Keep sipping that water throughout the day. Air conditioning and heating systems are dehydrating and you may need even more water than you think! Keep a humidifier near you while you work so your body can absorb even more humidity. It's great for voice.

2. TRY CHEWING SOME GUM IN BETWEEN PHONE CALLS Gum stimulates saliva flow. Use sugarless to prevent tooth decay. Just remember to take it out of your mouth before you speak!

3. AVOID SALTY FOODS Even though you may not add additional salt to your food, there is a lot of hidden sodium in the average American diet, especially in fast foods, Chinese foods, cold cuts and processed foods. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Bring your lunch to work and read the labels of the food you buy. There are many low sodium alternatives and many cookbooks on the market that focus on low salt/high taste.

4. DRY MOUTH COULD BE A SIDE EFFECT OF CERTAIN MEDICATIONS Antihistamines are a real culprit. Explain the problem to your doctor or pharmacist and see if anything you are taking is exacerbating the problem. Perhaps they can provide an alternative. Mention the problem to your dentist as well. Chronic dry mouth can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, so make sure you get regular check ups.

5. STRESS MAKES DRY MOUTH WORSE Make a mental systems check. Is your level of work-related stress higher than it should be? Yoga, exercise and daily meditation work great for me. There are many relaxation tapes and videos on the market.

6. BITE YOUR TONGUE No kidding! Slide your tongue over to one side and *gently* bite down between your top and bottom molars. Careful, don't hurt yourself. You don't need to bite hard. This stimulates the flow of saliva and moistens your mouth. Comes in handy when you don't have access to water.

7. TRY A THROAT SPRAY CALLED "ENTERTAINER'S SECRET" It's a lubricating spray specifically for dry throat and hoarse voice and contains all natural ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera. It's not a medication and can be used safely throughout the day. I've tried it and it works! You can order it at http://www.greatvoice.com.

From "The Voice Coach" ezine by Susan Berkley. Copyright 2002, reprinted with permission.