Lozenges, mouth spray, and chewing gum
October 14, 2022
Questions about lozenges, mouth sprays, and chewing gum often come up, especially for those with IBS. Is it completely off-limits, or are there alternatives? In this text, we’ll outline which products work well and which ones you should be cautious about.
Dry mouth and mouth spray
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when saliva production is too low or the composition of saliva is not as it should be. It is a relatively common issue that can lead to bad breath, difficulty eating and swallowing, and an increased risk of oral inflammation and tooth decay.
Pharmacies offer several saliva-stimulating products, mainly in the form of tablets and mouth sprays. Unfortunately, many of these products contain FODMAPs, usually in the form of sugar alcohols, which are known to irritate the digestive system. However, there is one product available in pharmacies that does not contain sugar alcohols: Proxident smörjande munspray. This mouth spray contains only sunflower oil. You can even make your own mouth spray by simply using a neutral oil, pouring it into a small spray bottle, and using it as needed.
Other Tips for Relieving Dry Mouth:
- Rinse your mouth with water regularly
- Drink water often
- Eat foods that require chewing, as chewing increases saliva production
- Avoid sweets and sugar-sweetened drinks, as they can worsen dry mouth and are harmful to teeth
These strategies can help manage dry mouth symptoms, especially when dealing with IBS.
Belly Balance digitala behandling
What to do if it is not helping?
Soar throat
Cold season is upon us, and our search for symptom relief begins. Throat lozenges are an easy go-to remedy, but many people don’t realize that lozenges often contain FODMAPs, mainly in the form of sugar alcohols used as sweeteners. However, there are some throat lozenges that are safe to use.
- Vicks Blue
- Vicks Blue Cool Breeze
- Fisherman’s Friend Original
- Kanols Eucalyptus-Menthol
These lozenges don’t contain FODMAPs but do have sugar, which can be harmful to your teeth. So, once again, consider the “bucket” analogy and think about whether you can make room for a few sugar-free lozenges.
Chewing gum
A common “bucket filler” that many people overlook is chewing gum. Just like throat lozenges, sugar-free gums are usually sweetened with sugar alcohols. Even though we don’t swallow the gum itself, the sugar alcohols dissolve as we chew and travel down to the stomach along with the saliva. Additionally, chewing gum often leads to swallowing extra air, which can be challenging for those with IBS to handle.
Summary
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IBS - What is it?
Bloated , constipated or having a gassy stomach? IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, meaning no physical issues can be found in the stomach or intestines; they just don’t function quite as they should.
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Download the app and become part of our community. We assist you in achieving a calm and happy stomach through treatment and tools available directly in the app.
About FODMAP
By learning which foods upset your stomach, you can make conscious choices and get quick symptom relief. With the low FODMAP diet, you receive structured assistance in understanding which foods your body tolerates better than others. No more guessing and pondering – you get the answer straight away!
