Saliva helps keep our mouth moist, rinsing off food from our teeth and preventing them from infection. It even aids in the chewing and digestion process. But what if it starts feeling sticky? If your question is, ‘Why is my saliva so thick?’, you’re at the right place. Continue reading to get familiar with the causes.
Reasons Why Your Saliva is So Thick
Thick and sticky saliva can indicate any of these five conditions:
1. Stuffy Nose
Allergies or colds can make your nose stuffy. You start relying on your mouth to breathe since the nasal congestion doesn’t allow you to inhale through your nose. Breathing with your mouth open can be drying, making your saliva thick and sticky.
2. Dehydration
Dehydration means your body is losing more fluids than it is taking. A lack of sufficient fluids can make your saliva thick and sticky. Other than this, dehydration also occurs due to:
- Mouth breathing
- Vomiting
- Severe diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Medical conditions
- Excessive urination
3. Dry Mouth
Your mouth gets dry when there isn’t enough saliva to keep it wet. Consequently, you get a sticky or dry feeling in the mouth, and your saliva becomes thicker. Tobacco, alcohol use, medication, can different diseases can give you a dry mouth.
4. Diabetes
People who live with diabetes are slightly more susceptible to dry mouth and other complications. This is because the increased sugar levels can make saliva sticky. Moreover, gestational diabetes in pregnant women can also cause sticky and thick saliva.
5. Cancer Therapy
Radiation therapy to the head or neck can result in a dry mouth, as this treatment can irritate the saliva glands. As a result, people undergoing cancer therapy might have thicker saliva and a dry mouth.
How to Get Rid of Sticky & Thick Saliva?
Thick or sticky saliva can give you an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth. Consult your dentist for a promising solution. Still, you can try these tips to improve your condition:
- Hydration
Drinking water should be your priority always. But if you have thick or sticky saliva, hydrate your body with water to address the issue.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a common culprit behind thick saliva since it causes dehydration and dry mouth. If you can’t cut alcohol out of your diet, try taking a glass of water per unit of alcohol. Also, drink one glass of water before going to bed.
- Steer Clear of Smoking
Tobacco can gradually reduce saliva production. Hence, smokers will notice a dry mouth and sticky saliva over time. To eliminate this feeling, it is always better to quit smoking. It isn’t any good for your health anyway!
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate your salivary glands. This is why you should chew on sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist and combat bad breath. It’ll also get rid of the unpleasant taste in your mouth.
What’s Next?
Sticky and thick saliva can give your mouth an uncomfortable sensation. Thus, knowing the cause can help you tackle the situation in an appropriate manner. Visit your dentist when your saliva feels thicker than usual, or dial 661-829-7905 to contact Gateway Family Dentistry.