Salivary glands secrete a multicomponent fluid, which consists mainly of water. About 5% of saliva is represented by enzyme compounds, proteins, acid residues of salts and many trace elements. Maltase and amylase contained in the oral cavity, being organic enzymes, are involved in the breakdown of polysaccharides immediately after eating. Thanks to lysozyme, the growth of pathogenic bacteria is controlled.
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General information
Why does a person sometimes observe in his frothy and too thick saliva? It's all about high molecular weight glycoprotein mucinwhich is responsible for the formation and enveloping of the food lump. Violation of this mechanism creates difficulties in swallowing food and promoting it through the esophagus canal. From which we can conclude that thick saliva is an important attribute of the initial stage of the digestive process. For what amount of saliva will be allocated, the autonomic nervous system is responsible. In this regard, people who are in a state of sleep or under the influence of anesthesia, experience dry mouth. The effects of different smells and tastes give rise to a sharp increase in the production of saliva.
The appearance of excessive thickness and white color of saliva causes a wide range of causes. Activation of the action of irritants present in the oral cavity and triggering pulses in the sympathetic nervous system, increase salivation. To assign the correct treatment, it is necessary to diagnose the main provoking disease.
Causes of thick saliva
Saliva can become thick for the following reasons:
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Sinusitis. Chronic sinus disease of the paranasal sinuses makes itself felt thick mucus and unpleasant smell from the mouth. The mucus produced by the sinuses continuously moves from the mouth to the throat. The nasal cavity swells, and the saliva thickens. Patients make efforts to free the throat from sticky sputum, and then spit out a clot. The chronic form of the disease is complicated by headache and less often by fever. If you suspect a sinusitis, you should immediately make an appointment with an otolaryngologist. - Xerostomia. Sudden disruption of salivary glands, complicated by severe dryness. The saliva becomes very viscous. The surface of the tongue is compacted, the work of receptors is disturbed, a burning sensation is present in the mouth. Sometimes there is sore throat and pain.
- Fungal candidiasis. Infectious disease that develops due to impaired immune functions, after a long period of taking antibiotics and corticosteroids. As well as provoke it can contact infection routes, personal hygiene items. Candidiasis can be a symptom of much more serious diseases: diabetes, tuberculosis, AIDS. When thrush can feel the taste of metal in the mouth, difficulty in swallowing food, itching and burning mucous membranes.
- Angina, pharyngitis, laryngitis. Diseases affect the tonsils. Infection causes the formation of purulent vesicles, and their spontaneous rupture creates discomfort in the mouth. The inflammatory process is accompanied by increased temperature, which deprives the body of water and inhibits the function of the salivary glands.
- Periodontitis and periodontal disease. Due to damaged gingival tissue, the amount of saliva produced decreases. Elements of epithelial tissue penetrate the salivary fluid, which makes it viscous and white.
- Infectious diseases of acute nature: dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). With this pathology, gastric juice rises into the oral cavity. In this case, additional saliva is necessary to neutralize gastric acid.
- Endocrine disruptions. Changes in hormonal levels occur during pregnancy, during puberty and menopause. These causes can also cause thick saliva.
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Autoimmune diseases. Severe disease, almost not amenable to treatment. Pathology is manifested in the defeat of the external secretion glands, including salivary glands. - Dehydration. Water - the main component of saliva. The lack of fluid in the human diet leads to an increase in the viscosity of saliva. A person needs 1.5–2 liters of water per day to avoid a state of dehydration. This is the minimum dose that ensures the proper functioning of all body systems.
- Dry air. Often, saliva becomes frothy and viscous due to the negative effect of dry air on the respiratory organs. In a poorly ventilated room, where the humidity of the air does not meet the standards, the mucous membrane of the mouth instantly dries out. Thickening, mucus forms a crust around the perimeter of the inside of the throat, which is manifested by sore and dry cough. Thus, the air masses, moving along the airway, get the necessary moisture due to the moisture of the mucous membranes. Mouth and throat are not responsible for humidifying the air. For this purpose, the nasal cavity, in which a special muconasal secret is produced, is intended. When a person cannot breathe normally with his nose, then for this he uses his mouth, therefore saliva immediately begins to thicken.
- Smoking. Tobacco smoke causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa, and an increase in mucus volume occurs. Many smokers complain about the feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the throat.
- Action of allergens. Thick saliva observed in certain months speaks of seasonal allergy to pollen.
- Medication. There are categories of drugs that cause such a side effect as thickening of saliva. These may be hormonal pills, antidepressants and antihistamines.
- Diabetes. Dryness of the oral mucosa and thick saliva is often observed against the background of hyperglycemic states.
In addition to a sharp reduction in the volume of secreted saliva and, as a result, increased viscosity, patients can observe additional symptoms:
- Disturbance of taste perceptions
- Sore throat
- Fetid odor from the mouth
- Cracks in the lips and in the corners of the mouth, dryness of mucous membranes
- Burning sensation in the sky and tongue.
- Hardening of the muscle fibers of the tongue
Features of treatment
It is possible that saliva becomes thick due to temporary hormonal disorders. In such cases, medical assistance is not required, and the natural secretion of saliva improves after a while. To understand the causes of violation of salivation necessary in-person consultation of a dentist. He will interview the patient, give directions for tests, and then select the appropriate course of treatment. As a rule, accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause allows you to assign the correct method of treatment, which will lead to a gradual normalization of the salivary glands.
The first thing to do is to stabilize the level of moisture in the mucous membranes of the mouth. This can help The following treatments:
- Gargle with anti-inflammatory herb decoction and soda-saline. To eliminate the symptoms of laryngitis, it is advisable to use antiseptics, for example, hexoral.
- The use of artificial saliva. Used in the form of drops or spray.
- Spray-moisturizers and gel substitutes.Famous manufacturers produce drugs in the form of a gel and spray, which instantly help to eliminate dry mouth. In addition, they contain antibacterial ingredients designed to eliminate unpleasant odors.
- Mucolytics. A group of drugs to increase production and liquefaction of saliva. Bromelane and acetylysteine have proven themselves well.
- Inhalation. Help those who have problems with the lungs and bronchi. For inhalation suitable as pharmaceutical drugs, and herbal infusions, such as St. John's wort or sage.
- Chewing gum with sugar substitute. Excellent stimulate the salivary glands.
Folk remedies to reduce the viscosity of saliva
- Decoction of pine needles and bark. Pour 4 tablespoons of ingredients with a liter of boiling water. Keep on low heat for 10 minutes and then infuse for an hour. Strained drink taken on an empty stomach three times a day, 2 tablespoons.
- Mix aloe with honey. Take inside no more than two times a day for a tablespoon.
- Propolis with peach oil. Lubricate the oral cavity with the mixture in the morning and evening.
Preventive measures
Daily preventive measures will reduce the risk of the appearance of thick saliva. Worth observe the following guidelines:
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Drink plenty of fluids. Give preference to clean drinking water that has not undergone heat treatment. Non-carbonated mineral waters are welcome. If you add papay juice to a glass, you can liquefy saliva, as this fruit has proteolytic enzymes. - Get rid of bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco adversely affect the state of saliva.
- Restrict the intake of caffeine-containing and carbonated drinks that dehydrate the body.
- Do not get involved in dairy products. Excessive consumption of milk and cheese creates the soil for the formation of excess mucus. It is useful to drink yogurt, as it normalizes the microflora of the mouth.
- Regular rinsing of the mouth with warm saline will remove mucus and make saliva less viscous. Do not rinse your mouth with alcohol-based solutions.
- Do not allow hypothermia
- Dentists recommend using sugarless gum
- Several times a week it is useful to breathe over a pan with hot water or boiled potatoes.
- Include in your grocery diet fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as cereals. Proper nutrition is the key to quality salivary fluids.
- To humidify the air in the bedroom recommend to purchase a humidifier.
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