If you're a mouth breather you're kind of screwed. I'm 11 years out and I still use a humidifier (I'm not a mouth breather). Still get dry mouth. You will pay the price for anything salty you eat, so don't eat pizza before you go to bed. If you're fresh out of Tx, and had targeted RT, then your parotids should recover in about 18 months or so (except the one immediately in the radiation field). Water helps, but it doesn't act as a substitute for the enzymes found in saliva. Products that mimic the enzymes may help, especially to protect your teeth. Many medications will also cause dry mouth as well (even a saline IV drip). Saliva is one thing we take for granted until we don't have it then we realize just how important it is...