Thick or sticky saliva signals a change in the composition of the fluid produced by the salivary glands. Saliva is composed of about 99% water, with the remaining 1% consisting of proteins, electrolytes, and mucins. When saliva feels thick, it is due to a shift in the ratio of water to these salivary components, specifically the mucins, resulting in increased viscosity. This change is usually a symptom of an underlying issue, ranging from simple environmental factors to complex systemic conditions.
Dehydration: The Primary Culprit
The most frequent cause of increased viscosity in saliva is dehydration, the body’s natural response to water deprivation. When the body senses a fluid deficit, it prioritizes water conservation for vital organs, reducing the amount secreted into the saliva. This effort leaves behind a higher concentration of proteins and mucins, resulting in a thick, stringy, or sticky texture.
Mild dehydration can be triggered by intense exercise, prolonged low fluid intake, or sleeping with your mouth open, which allows saliva to evaporate. Lifestyle habits also contribute to fluid loss. Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol acts as a diuretic, depleting water stores. Tobacco use, including smoking, is also a factor that contributes to sticky saliva.
Medications and Systemic Conditions
Beyond simple fluid balance, many internal factors, including medications and chronic diseases, can alter saliva quality. A large number of common prescription and over-the-counter drugs cause xerostomia, or the subjective feeling of dry mouth. This sensation is often accompanied by reduced salivary flow, making the remaining saliva seem dense and sticky.
Medications
Drug classes frequently implicated include antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and various blood pressure medications like diuretics and beta-blockers. Many of these drugs exert an anticholinergic effect, interfering with the nervous system signals that prompt the salivary glands to produce watery saliva. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck area can also damage the glands, reducing the volume and increasing the thickness of the saliva produced.
Systemic Conditions
Systemic diseases can also impair salivary gland function or overall fluid balance. Poorly controlled diabetes, for example, causes increased urination to flush out excess blood sugar, leading to dehydration and thicker saliva. An autoimmune disorder like Sjögren’s syndrome directly attacks the moisture-producing glands. The resulting inflammation and damage target the cells that produce the watery component of saliva, causing the remaining secretion to be excessively viscous.
Actionable Steps and When to See a Doctor
Addressing thick saliva often begins with simple self-care strategies focused on increasing moisture and stimulating flow. The most direct approach is to increase daily water intake, ensuring adequate hydration. You should also avoid substances that worsen dehydration, such as excessive caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco products.
To stimulate the salivary glands, try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies. This mechanical action encourages the production of more saliva, which helps dilute the existing thick fluid. Improving oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly is also important, as thick saliva can increase the risk of dental decay and infections. Using a bedroom humidifier at night can help reduce the drying effect of mouth breathing during sleep.
A consultation with a healthcare provider is warranted if the thick saliva persists despite these simple changes or if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Red flags that necessitate medical attention include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or speaking, persistent mouth pain, or signs of a fungal infection like oral thrush. You should also seek professional guidance if the symptom began after starting a new medication, as an alternative prescription may be available.