Viscous saliva. Common Causes of Sticky Saliva

Normal saliva

Saliva is one of the most important secretions of the body, which is secreted into the oral cavity by the salivary glands. Every day we produce about 1-2 liters of this mucous secretion. Saliva serves many functions, including as a lubricating fluid, allowing us to eat and speak comfortably; saliva is a powerful antibacterial liquid. It contains several enzymes that help in digesting food.

As a rule, saliva is liquid, slightly cloudy, completely non-irritating and slightly acidic in nature. Any deviation from normal properties indicates a disease - local or systemic.

Why is there a problem?

Thick saliva is a symptom that many patients may experience. The viscous, foamy liquid is the result of a failure in the production of mucin glycoprotein (high molecular weight components responsible for the formation of the food bolus). Other causes of thick saliva are disorders of the autonomic nervous system, eating foods with strong odors and strong tastes (increase salivation).

Pathological factors causing the appearance of white mucus in the mouth:

• Sinusitis. These are active inflammatory processes in the nasal sinuses, which “make themselves known” with thick and viscous sputum and bad breath. Snot from the nose enters the oral cavity, from there into the pharynx, flows down the back wall of the throat, and ends up in the stomach. The chronic course of sinusitis, in addition to local symptoms, can be complicated by regular severe headaches, fever, and weakness.
• Xerostomia. In this case, viscous saliva and mucus in the mouth are a consequence of disruption of the salivary glands themselves. Additional symptoms: swelling, hardness of the tongue, dryness, irritation, burning sensation on the mucous membrane. The throat may be sore, sore, and the functioning of the taste buds may be impaired.
• Fungal candidiasis. A disease of an infectious nature that develops against the background of an immune failure in the body. Thus, saliva becomes sticky in patients who take medications on a long-term basis - corticosteroids (hormones) or antibiotics. In addition, the candida fungus enters the oral cavity through contact (through a kiss, when sharing personal hygiene items). Associated discomfort: dysphagia, metallic taste in the mouth, burning and itching of the mucous membranes.

Common respiratory diseases such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, and pharyngitis also lead to the appearance of foamy saliva. The infection affects the tonsils, causing the formation of purulent blisters on the back wall of the throat - when they resolve themselves, purulent exudate flows into the oral cavity, causing the appearance of a putrid odor (taste), the feeling of thick mucus in the mouth. In addition, the course of such diseases is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, dehydration, and dysfunction of the salivary glands - the amount of secretion produced decreases, and saliva in the mouth thickens.

Dental problems can also be the “culprit” for the appearance of thick, viscous saliva. Periodontitis, periodontal disease (inflammatory lesions of the soft tissues of the oral cavity) lead to pathological changes in the structure of the gums, the amount of saliva produced decreases. In addition, elements of epithelial tissue mix with the secretion, making it viscous and thick.

Malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract provoke the appearance of thick saliva in the throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes stomach acid to rise up the esophagus and reach the mouth. Thus, the salivary glands are forced to produce more secretion to neutralize the effect of gastric juice on the mucous membrane - the consistency of saliva changes.

Common Causes of Sticky Saliva

Dehydration

Water is one of the main components of saliva (up to 99%). If you drink less water than required, sticky saliva reflects a state of dehydration. If this is the reason, look at the color of your urine; normally it should be straw yellow.

If you have no other complaints other than viscous saliva that tends to “stick” in your throat, you should simply drink more water.

Smoking

Smoking irritates the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. This leads to increased mucus production in the upper respiratory tract. Smokers often feel something sticking out in their throat and try to swallow it.

Chronic sinusitis

Patients with chronic sinus problems often complain of thick phlegm and bad breath. This happens because the sinuses produce mucus, which continuously flows into the mouth and back into the throat. This is called post-nasal drip and causes saliva to thicken.

Patients tend to pull sticky mucus from the throat into the mouth and spit it out. Chronic sinusitis is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or headache.

If you have any problems with your sinuses, then you need to see an ENT specialist.

Candidiasis

Another cause of sticky saliva is oral candidiasis. Check for white spots inside the mouth. If yes, then you are infected with candida fungus.

Candidiasis requires treatment with antifungal drugs. All sugars and carbohydrates in the diet should be limited. In addition, good oral hygiene is necessary during treatment.

Cold and cough

Do you have a cough or cold symptoms? When a person has the flu or any other respiratory infection that increases mucoid production, the saliva becomes viscous and sticky.

In such situations, it is necessary to treat the respiratory disease.

Autoimmune diseases

A rare cause of sticky saliva may be an autoimmune disease such as Sjögren's syndrome. To exclude this cause, you should donate blood for appropriate tests.

Seasonal allergies

If you have thick, sticky saliva only in some specific months of the year (spring, autumn), then this may be a seasonal allergic reaction to pollen.

Many people are allergic to pollen. In some it manifests itself as rashes on the skin, in others they sneeze, and in some the saliva becomes viscous.

Try taking an over-the-counter allergy medication for a week.

Medications

There are some medications that tend to dry out the mouth. This leads to thickening of saliva. These are antidepressants, antihistamines and decongestants.

Diabetes and other high blood sugar conditions.

Uncontrolled blood sugar levels are associated with dry mouth and thick saliva. This occurs in untreated diabetes, gestational diabetes, and other hyperglycemic conditions.

Gastroenteritis

Do you have any gastrointestinal problems such as acidity or frequent bloating? Any form of gastroenteritis can affect the consistency of saliva.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which acid produced in the stomach backs up into the mouth. In response, the mouth must produce additional saliva to return and counteract the acidic contents of the stomach.

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the sphincter, or muscle ring, between the esophagus and stomach opens without eating. GERD often affects obese people or those who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery.

Causes of sticky mouth

Stickiness in the mouth makes some people feel as if their mouth is full of cotton. In addition, a burning sensation may occur; the tongue becomes “rough”, like thick skin, and it becomes difficult to chew, swallow and speak.

The cause of sticky mouth may not be drinking too much: the body does not have enough liquid to distribute it to all the necessary areas. The viscosity of saliva in the mouth is also affected by certain chronic diseases that affect the secretion of the salivary glands, as well as certain forms of treatment, for example, chemotherapy in the head and neck area.

Stickiness in the mouth makes some people feel as if their mouth is stuffed with cotton.

Also, the cause of sticky saliva may be a reaction to taking certain medications, for example, analgesics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antidepressants and diuretics (the effect is worsened if several of the above medications are taken at once).

Problems with the functionality of the jaw system can also cause problems with stickiness in the mouth, namely, open-mouth breathing, problems with chewing (missing teeth, ineffective dentures), bruxism. Well, stress is also a reason that causes stickiness in the mouth.

How to deal with sticky saliva?

It is necessary to diagnose the underlying cause and treat the underlying disease. Saliva will return to normal gradually once you receive the right treatment.

Some Helpful Self-Help Tips for Sticky Saliva

• Drink plenty of water, as warm as possible. This will help thin the saliva and reduce the sticky feeling in the throat.

These foods and liquids can help increase the amount and decrease the viscosity of saliva:

• Try sour/tart foods and liquids.
• Tea with ice.
• Sports drinks.
• Lemon or lemon drinks.
• Citrus lollipops.
• Try carbonated liquids.

Soda

• Try sucking on pure ice.

You may not be able to tolerate some of these foods and liquids if you have a sore mouth or throat.

• Avoid smoking. Smoking produces thick mucus that mixes with saliva and makes it sticky.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Thick, sticky saliva is typically acidic and can damage teeth. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with plain water often.
• Rinse your mouth regularly with warm water with a pinch of salt in it. This will flush away any sticky mucus stuck in your throat.
• Include yogurt in your diet. This will help normalize the oral flora.
• Avoid eating a lot of dairy products such as milk, cheese or butter. Such foods contribute to the formation of mucus.
• Eat plenty of whole grains and fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. They reduce the formation of mucus in the body.
• You can take vitamin C and E as supplements for some time. Along with salted water, they are good for clearing mucus from the throat.
• Drink hot drinks, eat vegetable soups and herbal teas, which moisten the airways. Avoid too much coffee and tea, which dehydrate the body.
• Inhale steam from boiling water to moisten your airways. You can use a few drops of eucalyptus oil. This would also soothe the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat.
• Use a humidifier in the bedroom before going to bed.

Fenugreek tea for sticky saliva (phlegm, sinus discharge)

Pour two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds (Greek hay) into a cup of boiling water, let it brew for at least 5 minutes, filter. Drink a cup of warm tea throughout the day, the volume is not limited. If you have a coffee grinder, grind the seeds first and brew tea immediately.

Sage for sticky saliva

• Chew sage leaves (fresh or dry).
• Drink sage tea (a teaspoon per cup of boiling water, leave for ~5 minutes, filter, drink 2-3 cups a day.