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- You Have Acid Reflux. This is called "water brash," or a sudden rush of saliva, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
- You Have Allergies. Your eyes may water and your nose may run as a defense mechanism against any irritant, including dust, pollution and allergies. Irritants in your mouth can also cause an overproduction of saliva, Dr. Huh says.
- You Have a Dental Health Issue. Excessive saliva can also indicate that something is going on with your dental health. Having a cavity can cause temporary hypersalivation, as your salivary glands will produce more saliva when an infection is present in your mouth, per the American Dental Association.
- It’s Your Rx. If you're wondering why your mouth is producing so much saliva suddenly, your medication could be to blame. Advertisement. Your salivary glands are controlled by your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which opposes the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), or your fight-or-flight stress response, Dr. Huh explains.
- What Cause Sticky Saliva? What does it mean when your saliva is thick and sticky? If your saliva is feeling sticky, viscous, or thick, it might be due to one of these four conditions.
- Stuffy Nose. A stuffy nose due to allergies or a cold can cause thick saliva. After going to bed with a stuffy nose, you may wake up the next day with a dry, sticky mouth that feels covered in mucus.
- Cancer Therapy. People undergoing radiation therapy to the head or neck may develop dry mouth and thicker saliva. As the American Cancer Society (ACS) notes, this type of treatment can irritate the saliva glands, causing them to produce less saliva or produce thicker, stickier saliva.
- Dehydration. Sticky, thick saliva can also be a sign of dehydration. When you're dehydrated, your body isn't taking in enough fluids to replace those lost.
- Overview
- Possible causes
- How to get rid of thick saliva
- Oral health
- When to contact a doctor
- Summary
Thick saliva can result from dehydration or breathing through the mouth. However, it can also indicate a more serious condition, such as Sjögren disease or cystic fibrosis.
Finally, several medications and certain cancer treatments can cause thick saliva.
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause thicker saliva. This is because when the body is dehydrated, it spares less water on saliva. Dehydration can arise for many different reasons. Mostly, dehydration arises from not drinking enough water or other fluids. Dehydration may be more likely if people lose fluids from the body. This can happen because of sweating due to hot weather or exercise. A person can also lose fluids and become dehydrated through vomiting and diarrhea.
Mouth breathing
Research has shown that breathing primarily or solely through the mouth can lead to thick saliva. This is because mouth breathing exposes the mouth to air, causing it to dry out.
Cancer treatment
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), some cancer treatments can lead to thick saliva. These include: •chemotherapy •radiation therapy to the head or neck These treatments can damage the glands that produce saliva. As a result, the glands can only produce reduced amounts of saliva. This saliva will dry out after, making it thicker and stickier.
According to a 2023 article, there are several ways to get rid of thick saliva. These include treating any underlying condition or swapping medications, if possible. They also include the following steps:
•not breathing through the mouth
•frequently sipping water
•sucking on sugar-free candy
•avoiding dehydration
•avoiding or reducing caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
The same 2023 article also mentions the importance of good oral health for people with thick saliva. Good oral hygiene involves routine brushing and flossing of the teeth. It also involves regular professional dental care.
These things are important because thicker salvia can contribute to worse oral health. This condition can lead to the following issues:
•dental caries
•enamel erosion
•bad breath
•fungal infections
Anyone who is worried about thick saliva should contact a doctor. If thick saliva keeps coming back or occurs in the absence of dehydration or mouth breathing, it could indicate a serious condition.
There are many possible reasons why people may have thick saliva. Breathing through the mouth is one. Dehydration is another, which might arise due to heat, exercise, or an underlying health condition.
Some diseases also cause thick saliva. This is the case with Sjögren disease, which reduces the production of saliva and tears. Cystic fibrosis can also cause issues with saliva production.
Finally, several medical treatments can cause thick saliva. These include chemotherapy and radiation therapy — both cancer treatment options.
However, pain medications, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can also cause thick saliva. Many other pharmaceuticals can do the same.
Sep 15, 2022 · Drinking plenty of fluids: Drinking lots of water, juice, and other fluids can help to increase saliva production and reduce stickiness. Chewing gum: Chewing gum can help to stimulate saliva production and reduce stickiness.
- Stuffy Nose. A stuffy nose due to allergies or a cold can cause thick saliva. After going to bed with a stuffy nose, you may wake up the next day with a dry, sticky mouth that feels covered in mucus.
- Cancer Therapy. People undergoing radiation therapy to the head or neck may develop dry mouth and thicker saliva. This type of therapy can irritate the saliva glands, causing them to either produce less saliva or produce a thicker, stickier saliva.
- Dehydration. Sticky, thick saliva can also be a sign of dehydration. When you're dehydrated, your body isn't taking in enough fluids to replace those that are lost.
- Salivary Duct Obstructions. Your salivary ducts are the tiny channels that pump saliva throughout your mouth. If they become blocked, such as by a salivary stone, your saliva flow can decrease, possibly causing dry mouth and thicker-feeling saliva.
Thick or sticky saliva happens when there’s less water in it than usual. Sometimes, mucus mixes with your saliva and contributes to this “thick” or “sticky” feeling. Several things can cause it, like dehydration, smoking and chronic allergies. The main way to fix thick spit is to stay hydrated by drinking more water.
People also ask
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You may get catarrh if you have an infection like a cold, flu or sinusitis. Symptoms of catarrh include: a constantly blocked nose. feeling like there's a lump or something stuck in your throat. a frequent need to swallow or cough to try to clear your throat.
