Sticky—not exactly a word you would like used to describe the inside of your mouth. However, it is often used when describing saliva and it happens more often than you would think.
Sticky saliva is a relatively common occurrence and is fairly easy to treat at home.
Today, your dentists at WhiteWing Dental in McAllen, TX, will list the four main causes of sticky saliva as well as at-home remedies.
How Does Sticky Saliva Happen?
Sticky or thick saliva happens when there is not enough moisture in your saliva, creating a thicker consistency. In some cases, mucus will mix with your saliva, creating that stickiness you feel in the back of your throat and mouth.
What are the Main Causes?
1.Dehydration
As mentioned earlier, moisture plays a big role in the consistency of your saliva. When you’re not taking in enough water, you become dehydrated, and so does your saliva.
2.Chronic Allergies/Colds
Allergies and colds are bad enough without adding sticky saliva to it. Unfortunately, because of the post nasal drip that often happens from a stuffy nose, the mucus can travel down the throat, settling into your mouth.
3.Diabetes
Diabetes and sticky saliva aren’t normally something you think of together, but due to the increased sugar level diabetics have, sticky saliva is a general side effect. What many don’t know is that stick saliva can also afflict pregnant women who have gestational diabetes.
4.Smoking
Smoking increases mucus production in the throat, creating that feeling of stickiness in your mouth. This takes place when there is disruption to the upper respiratory tract.
At-Home Remedies
1.Stay Hydrated
This is the easiest and most common solution when it comes to getting your saliva back on track. It’s easy to skip your water intake throughout the day, but there are many ways to help make it a habit! Here are some suggestions that should help:
- Use a thermos or insulated water bottle that keeps water cool all day
- Use a water bottle that tracks your water intake
- Use a straw—this will help with taking those quick sips throughout the day
- Flavor your water with lemon or a water enhancer
- Set alarms on your phone as a reminder to drink more
2.Avoid Mouthwashes that Contain Alcohol
Alcohol is known to dry out your mouth. Switching to a mouthwash without alcohol can be a quick solution for your sticky saliva. Luckily, many companies have been coming out with mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol, so there are many products to choose from.
3.Lower Caffeine Intake
We all enjoy that first sip of caffeine in the morning…and sometimes in the middle of the day and even before bed. However, caffeine is known to dry out your mouth, creating the perfect environment for sticky saliva. Limiting the amount of caffeine you have each day can help keep your saliva at the perfect consistency.
4.Get a Humidifier
The goal of having normal saliva is to have a lot of moisture in it. In certain climates, the air is dryer, sucking all that moisture out of your nose and mouth. Adding a humidifier can reverse that effect and get you back on track.
5.Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth, flossing, and using a mouthwash without alcohol is key to protecting your teeth from the possible damage of sticky saliva.
Why is that? Sticky saliva is known to be more acidic, posing more damage to the enamel on your teeth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene starts with a visit to your McAllen dentist. Give your teeth the proper cleaning and care they deserve at WhiteWing Dental.
Sticky saliva can feel as uncomfortable as it sounds, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing the cause and finding the remedy are the first steps to getting your mouth back to the way it should be!
