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Published on: 3/17/2025

Why Is My Mouth Suddenly Full of Saliva?

A sudden increase in saliva can happen when your mouth makes extra saliva or you’re not swallowing as often, which can be caused by reasons like burning mouth syndrome, certain foods, or even changes in your body.

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Explanation

Your mouth makes saliva all the time to help with chewing and speaking. Usually, you swallow this saliva without noticing. But sometimes, your mouth might seem full of extra saliva. One reason this can happen is a condition called burning mouth syndrome, where the mouth feels sore or burning and the saliva may change in amount or thickness. Other times, when you eat or drink something very tasty or sour, your mouth might quickly produce more saliva than usual. Also, if you’re not swallowing as often—for example, if you’re talking a lot or if your swallowing reflex slows down—saliva can build up. Some changes in your body, such as stress or the effects of medication, can also change how much saliva is made. If you suddenly notice a lot more saliva than normal and it bothers you or causes discomfort, it might be a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. They can help figure out why it’s happening and suggest ways to manage it.

(References)

  • Canfora F, Calabria E, Spagnuolo G, Coppola N, Armogida NG, Mazzaccara C, Solari D, D'Aniello L, Aria M, Pecoraro G, Mignogna MD, Leuci S, Adamo D. Salivary Complaints in Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Cross Sectional Study on 500 Patients. J Clin Med. 2023 Aug 26;12(17):5561. doi: 10.3390/jcm12175561. PMID: 37685630; PMCID: PMC10488611.

  • Alhajj M, Babos M. Physiology, Salivation. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

  • Bozorgi C, Holleufer C, Wendin K. Saliva Secretion and Swallowing-The Impact of Different Types of Food and Drink on Subsequent Intake. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 19;12(1):256. doi: 10.3390/nu12010256. PMID: 31963804; PMCID: PMC7019672.

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