Frothy, thick, or stringy saliva is a serious dental problem. But it’s easily managed if you take the right steps! 

You probably don’t think too much about your saliva. You know it’s there, keeping your mouth moist, but otherwise, you probably don’t generally notice it. Yet saliva plays a vital role in your oral health. A healthy level of saliva sweeps away cavity-causing bacteria and food bits. It also contains enzymes that help digestion and makes chewing and swallowing easier. 

Normal saliva is clear, and the amount of saliva in your mouth rises and dips periodically in response to external stimulation. For example, you may experience a dry mouth when you’re extremely nervous. On the other hand, thinking about a delicious meal increases the amount of saliva in your mouth. It’s where the term mouthwatering comes from! Sometimes, however, saliva changes from clear to consistently foamy, thick, or stringy, and that is something you need to talk to an Espire dentist about to find the cause of your abnormal saliva.

Why is My Saliva Foamy?

Dry mouth is likely the culprit if you notice foamy saliva escaping from the corners of your mouth or coating your tongue. Dry mouth can be traced to several medical conditions and other risk factors, such as:

Medications. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, such as those for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, pain reducers, antihistamines, and decongestants, can sap your mouth of moisture. 

Chronic Conditions. Dry mouth is a side effect of diabetes and some other autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome. If you have an oral yeast infection (thrush), your mouth will lose moisture. Snoring and breathing with an open mouth will also dry your mouth of saliva.

Cancer Treatment. Undergoing chemotherapy interferes with saliva production, as does radiation to the head and neck near where the salivary glands are located. Whether the change in saliva levels is permanent or temporary depends on the dosage and the treated area.

Tobacco & Alcohol Use. Smoking and cigarettes are bad for many reasons, but both can also increase dry mouth symptoms.

How Can I Treat Foamy Saliva?

A dry mouth and foamy saliva can be annoying, but they can also lead to detrimental oral health problems. You need a proper level of saliva to coat your teeth, so bacteria doesn’t get a chance to burrow and cause cavities. Saliva also maintains healthy gums by clearing away plaque. So keeping your mouth moist and fresh is essential for your oral health. Try these tips to combat frothy saliva:

• Sip Water. Carry water with you at all times to moisten your mouth.
• Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medications. If you believe your medications are causing your dry mouth, talk to your doctor about adjusting the dosage. But don’t stop taking any medications you require to manage your chronic conditions.
• Try an Oral Lubricant. Over-the-counter mouth rinses and oral moisturizers are available to combat dry mouth. Look for mouthwashes with xylitol or antimicrobial properties.
• Chew Sugar-free Lozenges & Gum. These products get the saliva flowing in your mouth.
• Ask About Prescription Medications. Prescription medications such as pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) stimulate saliva production.
• Practice Good Oral Hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly and don’t skip on those twice-yearly visits to the dentist! Even if you don’t suffer from a dry mouth, a healthy oral routine is key to preventing cavities and gum disease. If your dry mouth is severe and cavities are a problem, your dentist may recommend covering your teeth with a fluoride tray at night. Another option to control decay is a weekly rinse of chlorhexidine.

Your oral health involves more than fighting tooth decay! It’s about your entire mouth, and that includes your saliva. If you notice your saliva is foamy, talk to an Espire dentist about what’s causing it and how it can be treated.

Let’s Talk About Your Mouth

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Mission Valley location today! Our highly trained dentists can make sure your teeth and saliva are healthy. Don’t live near our Mission Valley, California office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Mission Valley, CA
8989 Rio San Diego Drive
Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92108