What causes thick saliva?
Disease description:
Recently, my saliva has been unusually thick and viscous. Could this be due to “internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept)? What causes thick, viscous saliva?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Mingping
There are many causes of thick or viscous saliva, which may be related to recent dietary habits or hot weather. Regularly consuming strongly flavored foods—such as spicy hotpot or barbecued dishes—as well as insufficient fluid intake during hot weather, can also contribute to increased saliva viscosity. It is recommended to adjust dietary habits appropriately and ensure adequate hydration. Additionally, patients with oral inflammation—for example, gingivitis—may also experience thick or viscous saliva.
