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Foamy Saliva Causes and What It Might Mean for Your Health

Foamy Saliva

It’s hard to define the cause of foamy saliva because it can be caused by many issues, some of which are serious. The best course of action for those with this condition is to see a doctor. Even so, it’s good to understand what it is and the cause underneath foamy saliva.

What Is It?

Foamy saliva is when you spit and the result is a frothy substance. It is whiter than usual as well as foamy. It always indicates another health issue but it could be either a minor one or a more serious one.

Healthy saliva can change even in a healthy person. You may salivate more at the smell of a steak or become dry-mouthed when going on a date with someone for the first time. Everyone has a type of saliva that is normal to them without any negative health factors. It may be sticky or thick, for instance.

In all cases, healthy saliva constantly keeps your mouth moist with few exceptions. This is critical for a healthy mouth because saliva washes away food debris and bacteria. Lowered levels of it lead to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Saliva also helps in chewing and swallowing. A lack of it could cause nutritional problems.

The Root Cause of Foamy Saliva

Almost all foamy saliva is caused by dry mouth. The real issue is the cause of the dry mouth. That can be a temporary situation like dehydration, stress, anxiety, or sleeping with your mouth open.

A dry mouth could also be a symptom of diabetes, oral thrush, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, or HIV/AIDS.

There is a middle ground of conditions foamy saliva can be associated with like acid reflux or an infection. Medical professionals also look at other serious issues when they have a patient with this condition and those include a rabies infection or a drug overdose. However, those conditions have other symptoms beyond a foamy mouth that point to it.

Medications

Many medications can leave you with a foamy mouth, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Medications that tend to dry up the mouth like antihistamines or decongestants are the culprits. Other medications associated with foamy spit are anti-depressants, anxiety medications, blood pressure drugs, muscle relaxants, and pain medication. Even some over-the-counter can cause this issue.

When to Go to a Doctor

You may not feel like your foamy saliva warrants medical attention. It could be that it happens after a workout, signaling you need more water. Look at your lifestyle and when the condition started for a clue on whether it is temporary or a sign of something more serious.

Those with chronic health conditions like diabetes are more prone to this problem. In that case, you may want to try other measures before seeing a doctor. There are over-the-counter treatments like mouth rinses or oral moisturizers for dry mouth. You can also try lozenges or sugar-free gum to generate saliva flow.

Those who don’t have a way to pinpoint an obvious possible cause for foamy mouth should see their doctor. This becomes more of a concern if the condition doesn’t go away in a few days after you’ve drank more water or tried over-the-counter items. Your doctor will look at your medications and offer to change them to remedy the problem or run tests to determine the cause.

What You Can Do

The one thing you can do to reduce foamy saliva is to maintain solid oral healthcare practices. That includes brushing twice a day and flossing. Both stimulate saliva flow. Products like water flossers, tongue scapers, and antimicrobial mouth rinses are also helpful.

Talk to Your Dentist

It may be easier to approach this situation by talking to your dentist before approaching your doctor. Your dentist can help find the root cause and offer solutions to reduce symptoms if it’s strictly an oral health problem. They can refer you to your doctor if they feel a foamy mouth indicates something more serious.

We are here to help you remedy issues like foamy saliva. Call for an appointment to have one of our professionals give an exam and provide you with information.

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