What’s in a Saliva? Much!

Did you know that we, humans, produce almost 0.75 to 1.5 litres of saliva per day? Now, that’s an impressive figure! Knowingly or unknowingly, our saliva plays a vital role in not just helping us digest our food well, but is also essential for good oral health. It is important for the normal pH of your mouth, lubrication and oral hygiene as it has bacterial properties. It also plays an important role in sensing taste. A change in the taste of your mouth’s saliva also indicates health problems. Though we often don’t give much attention to our spit, its texture, volume, or colour can reveal a lot about our health. Whether you notice foamy saliva, thick saliva, or bubbles in spit, these can all be clues.

Here Are 7 Things Your Saliva Reveals About Your Health

You have a dry mouth

Dry mouth is a very common condition which occurs when there is an insufficient production of saliva. It can occur due to ageing, dehydration and certain health conditions like diabetes, oral infections, Sjogren’s syndrome, vitamin deficiency and certain medications. Less mouth saliva can also mean that you are a mouth breather.

Breathing through the mouth is a common problem in people with sleep apnoea and swollen adenoids. If your saliva feels sticky or thick, or you see frothy saliva, especially in the morning, it could mean you are breathing with an open mouth. Dry mouth, along with difficulty in swallowing, swelling and pain in the neck, can be due to salivary stones. Also called sialolithiasis, it is caused by the buildup of calcium in the salivary ducts.

You are over stressed

If you are stressed or anxious about something, you can have too much saliva in your mouth. If the enzyme cortisol is high in your mouth saliva, it clearly indicates that you are over-stressed. That’s amazing! This is often used to detect stress levels in pregnant women, to assess if it affects the growing fetus. Overstressed pregnant women are at risk of pregnancy complications and premature births.

You are on medications

If you are taking medicines for minor illnesses, allergy medicines or other long-term medications, your saliva may show changes. Some medications can cause dryness of the mouth, due to less salivation. Some medicines can also bring a metallic taste to your saliva, while some may make your mouth bitter.

You produce too much saliva

The answer to the question, “What causes you to spit a lot?” lies here. Excessive production of saliva can make you spit more often. This is particularly noticeable in pregnant women, possibly due to hormonal changes. Some may also experience increased salivation due to ill-fitting dentures, ongoing or recent dental treatment, throat infection or digestive problems.

Sometimes, you can even blame nutritional deficiencies if you have too much saliva in the mouth. Excessive drooling or foamy spit can indicate problems with tongue control and coordination. While it is more common in children, it can occur in adults too, due to nerve problems, weakness of the mouth muscles, or paralysis. Timely checks for nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems can help you control excessive salivation or excessive bubbles in saliva.

You have acid reflux

One of the common causes of foamy saliva in adults is acid reflux. When acid regurgitates up to the throat, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. Sour saliva and nausea are commonly experienced in hyperacidity and acid reflux disease. It may be triggered by eating spicy or sour foods, overeating, late night eating or after staying hungry for a long time. Acidic saliva increases the risk of dental caries and tooth erosion; hence, timely help must be sought.

There is an infection

If there is an oral infection, your saliva can show some changes. White and clumpy saliva is often seen in an oral infection, particularly oral thrush. Gum infection or other problems in the oral cavity can result in blood-stained saliva. Thick saliva with bubbles can be seen if you have a cough, cold, sinusitis or respiratory infection. Normally sinuses are filled with air. If there is an infection or sinusitis, the air can leak into the mouth, which causes saliva bubbles. Some serious lung infections can also be suspected by testing the saliva.

There is an underlying health problem

Testing saliva can help reveal the possibility of various health conditions. If you are in pain, certain enzymes present in your saliva can reveal it. Studies suggest that saliva contains certain molecules and hormones, which are related to various health problems. Testing your mouth saliva can assess your risk for heart diseases, diabetes, palsy, neurological problems and even cancer.

As it is an important body fluid, any change in your health is reflected in your saliva. Salivary amylase, an important digestive enzyme in saliva, is tested to detect many illnesses. So, keep a check on your saliva. If you notice any changes in the colour, texture or the amount of saliva produced, seek a medical opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is my spit white and foamy?

Ans. White and foamy spit usually happens due to dry mouth, dehydration, or excessive mouth breathing, especially while sleeping. It can also be caused by acid reflux, stress, or certain medications. If it continues or is accompanied by other symptoms like bad taste, dryness, or sore throat, it’s a good idea to get checked by a healthcare professional.

Q. Why is my saliva foamy?

Ans. Foamy saliva is often a sign that your mouth is too dry or that there is excess mucus mixing with your spit. It can also happen when you have acid reflux, a sinus infection, or you are stressed. In some cases, it’s seen in people with respiratory infections or those who breathe through their mouths often.

Q. What causes excessive bubbles in saliva?

Ans. Bubbles in saliva usually form when air gets mixed in with thick or sticky spit. This can happen when you are dehydrated, have a respiratory infection, or have sinus issues. Some people also see bubbles if they have acid reflux or use certain medications.

Q. Should I be worried about foamy spit every morning?

Ans. Not always. Foamy spit in the morning is often due to sleeping with your mouth open, which dries out your mouth. It can also happen if you have allergies, sinus congestion, or acid reflux at night. If it is happening daily along with other symptoms, please consult your doctor.