SALIVA
(Part 1)
Viscous Saliva: A Warning Sign You Shouldn’t Overlook for Oral Health
Saliva, known colloquially as spit, is what’s produced by the mouth’s salivary glands in order to fulfill a variety of functions, such as keeping the mouth moist and bacteria-free as well as making it easier to eat or chew food by making it softer.
The mouth lubricator doesn’t only aid digestion—it also assists in expulsion of bacterial and viral foreign bodies in tandem with mucus or snot and phlegm from the lungs.
One of the major complaints about this so-called oral lubricant is its stickiness despite being a supposed lubricator.
Isn’t Saliva Supposed to Be Sticky?
First things first, saliva has natural properties of stickiness, but it should never be so sticky that it causes you problems when swallowing, eating, or feeling comfortable.
If your saliva is so sticky it starts making you feel uncomfortable, then it might be too sticky or stickier than normal. Saliva should never be so sticky that it starts affecting your quality of life.
There are many causes for this condition. Fortunately, you can also apply various home remedies to resolve the situation. Relieving yourself of sticky saliva should be a minor thing.
However, if the symptom persists, you should definitely call a healthcare specialist like a dentist or an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor (also known as an otolaryngologist).
What Is Viscous Saliva?
Viscous saliva is saliva that’s stickier, pastier, stringier, and thicker than normal (almost like oatmeal or chicken broth soup). This condition of excessive viscosity makes swallowing difficult.
The saliva also comes in clumps, making them stick to your gums and teeth like bubble gum or like you’ve swallowed glue, making it quite the annoyance.
Usually, it’s not a cause of concern and most people resolve this by watering down their saliva through drinking more water. With that in mind, what causes this?
What Can Make Saliva More Viscous?
Your sticky thick saliva can become more viscous than normal when there’s less water in it than usual. You might be dehydrated or unable to produce enough water in your system to make your saliva more slippery and less sticky.
The many things that can turn your saliva into viscous saliva include chronic allergies, smoking, and dehydration.
There are also times when mucus blends with your saliva, resulting in stickier and thicker saliva that has pure viscosity. You might also be sick with asthma, resulting in phlegm mixed with your spit.
Drinking a lot more water can compensate for the water you’ve lost and thin out spit. Fluids make the saliva less viscous and waterier.
If symptoms for high saliva viscosity persists, consult your doctor. Some other condition might be causing your issue aside from being dehydrated. Or dehydration is also a symptom that something bigger is afoot.