How To Avoid Dry Mouth When Public Speaking

How to avoid dry mouth when public speaking?

How to avoid dry mouth during public speaking, this can be pretty bothersome. The parched, sticky sensation in your mouth and throat caused by dry mouth (also known as cottonmouth) is a common side effect of delivering speeches and presentations.

When your salivary glands fail to create enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, you’re suffering from xerostomia.

Xerostomia can be caused by various factors, some of which can be life-threatening. On the other hand, a dry mouth can be caused by stress or nervousness during public speaking and is something that every public speaker has had to deal with at some point.

You’re familiar with the signs: a sore throat, a dry, sticky mouth, a heavy pasty tongue, and trouble swallowing. If you’re speaking to an audience, dry mouth is a waste of time. Why not take action?

Do you have a dry mouth when speaking virtually?

We’re all a little perplexed when presenting online, but we know it’s here to stay because of its recent spike in popularity. Dry mouth can result from speaking for virtual presentations. Presenters’ mouths can become dry due to the stress and worry they’re under. As a result, a presenter’s ability to talk confidently is likely affected.

Quick tips for dealing with dry mouth while speaking:

• If you are struggling with dry mouth, do not speak bad of yourself!
• The night before, drink a lot of water. Even though you’ll have to use the bathroom more frequently, all that water will rehydrate your cells.
• Make sure you drink enough water the day before you speak, not becoming dehydrated. Before taking the stage, make sure to use the restroom.
• Take a few long breaths to calm yourself down. Dry mouth can be caused by stress and anxiety, which can be alleviated with good breathing exercises. Take a few deep breaths and relax (breathing in for a count of five and slowly exhaling for a count of five). Imagine letting go of all your negative emotions and thoughts.
• Before speaking, spit out any citrus-flavored gum or lozenges you chewed before.
• Apply a lip balm before speaking. Make sure it has glycerin, a skin-softening ingredient that draws moisture to your lips and skin to keep them soft and smooth.
• It’s always a good idea to have some water on hand if you need to rehydrate. When it comes to water, there are two things to keep in mind:
  • First, it should be at room temperature.
  • It’s difficult to sing when your vocal cords are constricted by cold water.
  • It should not have any sparkle to it at all. Bubbles tend to reappear!
• Antihistamine and decongestants over-the-counter might dry up your skin and exacerbate allergies.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco before you speak because these substances worsen dry mouth.
• If you’re going to use mouthwash, make sure it doesn’t include alcohol that dries your mouth.
• Make use of an anti-dry mouth mouthwash or rinse. Xylitol, a sugar found in many rinses, is a stimulant for saliva production. This particular brand has worked well for me in the past.
• The more you practice, the better you get. Make sure you are well prepared and know your presentation inside and out. As a result, dry mouth symptoms can be avoided by boosting self-confidence and decreasing worry.
• To minimize the risk of dry mouth, avoid taking antihistamines and decongestants.
• Use a humidifier while you sleep, to avoid dry mouth.
• Prepare thoroughly. As a result, you will feel more confident, which will lead to a reduction in dry mouth.

Aside from this, how can I avoid dry mouth while public speaking?

The first thing you need to do if you’re doing a lot of talking is to drink tepid (not cold) water frequently due to the physical sensations linked with nerves and the fear of presenting. Conversely, whereas adrenaline can occasionally benefit us, as detailed in our blog: “Why the word ‘nervous’ should be outlawed,” reminding oneself that you are nervous can be harmful.

Anxiety and stress cause the body to react physically, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, which causes blood vessels to tighten and mucous membranes in the eyes and mouth to dry up. When adrenaline is released, there are all kinds of bodily reactions, which is terrific if you’re ready to get into a physical fight. On the other hand, a racing heart and a dry tongue aren’t helpful in public speaking because there isn’t any physical danger involved.

Because you’re an expert in your field, why do you experience a dry mouth before speaking?

It’s comforting to know that your mind and body are intertwined, so treating your condition’s mental and physical components simultaneously is a brilliant idea.