What makes spit thick

This can be a side effect of radiation therapy to the head and neck areas, some types of chemo , certain other medicines, and dehydration. The glands that make saliva can become irritated or damaged and make less saliva, or your saliva can become very thick and sticky.

The level of dryness can be mild or severe. A symptom of dry mouth syndrome is stringy or thick saliva , as there is not enough moisture in the mouth to thin it. Dry mouth is one symptom of dehydration, and your saliva may thicken in response to the lack of fluids in your body. Your throat and nose produce mucus to filter foreign matter, keep nasal membranes moist, and fight infection. But sometimes, your body produces excess mucus, particularly if you catch a cold or have seasonal allergies.

When you have postnasal drip or a stuffy nose, it can cause you to breathe through your mouth, which then causes your mouth to dry out and your saliva to thicken. There are multiple medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that can cause thick saliva. The hormone changes that happen during pregnancy can cause you to develop thicker saliva.

Some women even experience hyper salivation or sialorrhea. Masses of crystallized minerals sometimes form in your salivary glands. This can inhibit saliva production and thicken the saliva that is produced. People with motor neuron diseases may experience difficulty swallowing or clearing the airways of the mucus and saliva that builds up due to their illness. If a person with a motor neuron disease becomes dehydrated, breathes through their mouth, or tends to keep the mouth open, this can make the problem worse.

Additionally, the Dental College is the only facility in the Augusta area conducting oral pathology. Contact her to schedule an interview on this topic or with one of our experts at or deharris1 augusta. Jagwire is your source for news and stories from Augusta University. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.

Augusta University. Search Search. Experts Health News Releases. Danielle Harris 2 min read November 15, When your mouth is running low on saliva, it can be a sign of xerostomia or dry mouth, which is a precursor to tooth decay and cavities. This condition usually occurs as a result of medications and diseases, such as anemia and hypertension.