What does thick saliva indicate?

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.

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When should I be worried about thick saliva?

In most cases, sticky saliva is not a cause for concern and can be treated at home. However, there are some instances in which you should see a dentist, like if the sticky saliva is accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing.

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How do I get rid of thick saliva?

Drink warm fluids to help clear your mouth of thick saliva and to help 'wash' food down. Rinse your mouth and gargle with club soda or baking soda rinse (1/4 tsp baking soda mixed with 1 cup water) before and after eating. Limit caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.

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What does it mean when your saliva is thick and bubbly?

Dry mouth is likely the culprit if you notice foamy saliva escaping from the corners of your mouth or coating your tongue.

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What causes saliva build up in the mouth?

Drooling or hypersalivation in adults is usually associated with infections or nervous system disorders. Hypersalivation in adults is primarily caused by: Mononucleosis or sinus infections. Strep throat or tonsillitis.

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Spit! What your saliva says about you

27 related questions found

What deficiency causes excess saliva?

There are many causes of hypersalivation, including: cerebral palsy,neurodegenerative disorders, vitamin B3 deficiency, gastroparesis, pancreatitis, oral infections, rabies, many medications and several toxins. Hypersalivation is associated with either excess saliva production or decreased clearance.

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Why does my mouth keep filling up with saliva and I feel sick?

Many causes of esophagitis, such as GERD, medications, or infections, can lead to salivation and nausea. Untreated esophagitis may require medical attention. 1.8 Dysphagia Dysphagia is a condition that makes it difficult to swallow. Watery mouth is a common symptom of dysphagia.

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Why is my saliva so thick and my throat hurts?

These symptoms can be part of many medical conditions, including viral and bacterial infections. Strep throat can be diagnosed with a throat swab. Antibiotics may be needed to treat a bacterial infection.

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Is foamy saliva serious?

With this in mind, if even a small amount of bubbly saliva spills out of the mouth unintentionally, a person may need emergency medical attention. Foaming at the mouth is normally associated with central nervous system problems with life-threatening complications, including coma and death.

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What foods cause thick saliva?

Intake of hard or dry foods, like crackers, tough meats, and viscous foods, like thick syrups, peanut butter should be limited. Encourage small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day. Ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration and to thin saliva.

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Is it better to have thick or thin saliva?

Your mouth may feel full of mucus, or you may find it difficult to swallow. Along with discomfort, thicker saliva can contribute to other problems in your mouth. When saliva is thin and free-flowing, it's able to do its job of washing bacteria from your teeth, which reduces your risk of gum disease or other infections.

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What medication is used to thin thick saliva?

Use over-the-counter medicines to help thin your saliva, such as Mucinex or Robitussin. It is important to drink plenty of water when you take these medicines.

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Should you swallow phlegm or spit it out?

So here's the big question: Should you spit or swallow your phlegm? Even though it might taste nasty, “there's nothing wrong with swallowing it,” Dr. Comer says. In fact, that's probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.

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Does acid reflux make you spit a lot?

Some medical research shows that excessive saliva production is your body's response to acid in your esophagus. It activates as a way of addressing the acid but can worsen your condition instead.

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Is yogurt good for dry mouth?

Dry mouth is a common clinical problem, and different products have been proposed to improve it. Making products such as mouthwash or lozenges using yogurt can help to reduce dry mouth.

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Does diabetes cause foamy saliva?

According to the American Dental Hygienist' Association (ADHA), dental hygienists often detect symptoms of diabetes during routine oral health examinations. Foamy saliva and unusually dry and irritated tissue inside the mouth are tell-tale signs of the condition.

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Does thick saliva mean sick?

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.

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Why won't the mucus in my throat go away?

It is a common symptom of conditions such as the common cold, sinusitis, and allergies. The excess mucus can be caused by inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages, which can be due to a variety of factors such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants in the air.

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Why won't my mouth stop filling with saliva?

Hypersalivation, also known as sialorrhea or ptyalism, is when a person has too much saliva in their mouth. It can result in drooling. Possible causes range from using dentures to a jaw fracture. Depending on the cause, hypersalivation can either be constant or intermittent.

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Can anxiety cause excess saliva?

That's what we see with anxiety and drooling, along with general excessive saliva production. Anxiety doesn't generally cause severe drooling, but it can lead to increased amounts of saliva that is caused not directly from anxiety, but from a separate symptom of anxiety.

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Why am I coughing up phlegm but not sick?

Phlegm is a thick mucus from the lower airways due to lung inflammation or injury. Infection is a common cause, but other conditions like allergies, lung disease, and GERD can cause a productive cough. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and includes supportive care and medications.

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What is the difference between phlegm and saliva?

Sputum, or phlegm, is a type of mucus secreted by cells in the lower airways (bronchi and bronchioles) of the respiratory tract. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up in the mouth.

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Does your saliva thicken as you age?

Saliva seems to undergo chemical changes with aging. As the amount of ptyalin decreases and mucin increases, saliva can become thick and viscous and present problems for the elderly.

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