How to Stop Swallowing Saliva

Co-authored by Christopher M. Osborne, PhD | Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

It’s completely normal to swallow small mouthfuls of saliva on a regular basis, but you might swallow excessively because of a physical issue or an anxiety concern. Before you can find relief, you'll have to figure out what's causing your excessive salivation. Fortunately, once you identify why you are swallowing too much saliva, you can typically take simple measures to help solve the problem. In some cases, working with your doctor may be the best way to handle your swallowing concerns.

Things You Should Know

Limit your saliva by drinking consistently throughout the day and avoiding very sweet foods, like citrus fruits.
Talk to your doctor if you face hypersecretion, because medication (like glycopyrrolate or amitriptyline) can help.
If you're dealing with a sore throat, use some chloraseptic (phenol) spray or a throat lozenge.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Producing Less Saliva

1
Drink more water during the day. Under normal circumstances, your body produces more saliva when you’re not properly hydrated. So, by drinking more water during the day, you’ll end up with less saliva. Drink a small glass of water before bedtime as well.^{[1]
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- To stay hydrated, drink a glass of warm water when you wake up and before and during meals, and take sips throughout the day before your mouth feels dry or you feel thirsty.
2
Avoid very sweet or very sour foods and drinks. When you put a sour candy or a sweet treat in your mouth, you may produce extra saliva in order to dilute the strong taste sensation. Cutting back on really sour or sweet things may help noticeably reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
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- This is why people suck on sweet or sour candies in order to keep their mouth moistened.
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3
Talk to your doctor about medical and medication causes. If your body produces too much saliva for unknown reasons, your doctor may be able to diagnose a medical condition that is causing it. If a known medical condition or treatment is the culprit, your doctor may be able to change your medication or make other treatment adjustments.^{[3]
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- A range of medical conditions, including various infections, viruses, and gastric issues (especially GERD), can trigger excess saliva production. Likewise, some medications—such as the antipsychotic drug Clozapine—can trigger extra saliva.
4
Take any prescribed medications to treat hypersecretion. Hypersecretion is the medical term for over-production of saliva, and there are several medications approved for treating this condition. They sometimes cause side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, and a racing heartbeat, however, so discuss the pros and cons of the various options with your doctor. Common hypersecretion medications include:^{[4]
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- Glycopyrrolate (Robinul).
- Propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
- Amitriptyline (Elavil).
- Nortriptyline HCL (Pamelor).
- Scopolamine (Transderm Scop).
Tip: Sometimes excessive saliva can be difficult to manage if it's caused by a medical condition. For instance, it may be one of the most difficult amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms to treat.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Dealing with a Lump in Your Throat

1
Note when you experience the “lump in your throat” feeling. If you frequently feel like there is a literal lump that’s making it hard for you to swallow—especially when swallowing saliva—you may have a globus. A globus isn’t an actual lump, but it is a very real condition that creates the sensation of a lump.^{[5]
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- Some people notice a globus only when they swallow saliva, while others feel it anytime they swallow.
- Having a globus may cause you to want to swallow very frequently—even if just small amounts of saliva—in order to “test” the feeling.
- If it feels like there is a lump in your throat all the time, and especially if you can feel or see an actual lump, contact your doctor. While uncommon, you may have a tumor or some other condition other than a globus.
2
Visit your doctor to check for GERD and get treatment. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause for a globus. The backflow of stomach acid damages your esophageal tract and can create the lump sensation, especially when swallowing your own saliva.^{[6]
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- Treating GERD with medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments may get rid of your globus.
3
Focus on swallowing forcefully and only when necessary. It’s sometimes easier said than done, but making bigger swallows less frequently may help you to overcome the “lump in your throat” feeling. See if you can go 1 or even 2 minutes between swallows during the day (while not eating), for instance—set a timer if that helps.^{[7]
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- The average adult swallows around 600 times per day, or about 35 times per hour while awake and roughly 6 times per hour while asleep.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Swallowing Less Often with a Sore Throat

1
Try hot liquids, cold liquids, and frozen treats. Give a try to some of the favorite sore throat relievers that have stood the test of generations—things like chicken soup, hot tea, ice chips, and frozen ice treats. Cold things can help numb the pain receptors in your throat, while hot things can soothe some of the pain and help clear away mucus.^{[9]
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- Having a sore throat can make you feel like swallowing repeatedly in order to temporarily soothe the pain with a coating of saliva. In turn, this can give you a dry mouth and even cause an upset stomach.
2
Suck on a throat lozenge that contains pectin. Throat lozenges may soothe your sore throat and help you stop swallowing so much. Place a throat lozenge on your tongue and let it dissolve. Repeat every 2 hours to manage sore throat pain.^{[10]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Don't give a throat lozenge to a child that's under the age of 5. It's not safe for them to eat a throat lozenge.
3
Spray your throat with a Chloraseptic (phenol) spray. If you soothe your throat with Chloraseptic spray, you might be able to reduce your excessive swallowing, as well. Spritz your throat 1-2 times, then wait 15 seconds before spitting. Use the spray as needed to help manage your throat irritation for up to 2 days.^{[11]
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- Try not to swallow the Chloraseptic.
- You may notice mouth tingling while using Chloraseptic.
4
Use warm salt water or throat spray to briefly dull the pain. Stir 3 g (0.11 oz) of salt (roughly ½ tsp) into a glass of warm water. Take a big sip, gargle it in the back of your mouth, spit it out, and repeat until you’ve finished the glass. Do this as often as every 3 hours to provide a bit of sore throat relief.^{[12]
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- Alternatively, pump 1 spritz of a throat numbing spray into the back of your throat; wait 15 seconds, then spit it out. Do this as often as every 2 hours for up to 2 days.
- Do your best not to swallow the salt water or throat numbing spray. Swallowing a small amount won’t cause any harm, though.
5
Use a humidifier at night to keep the air moist. Dry air dries out your throat as you breathe, causing your body to produce extra saliva to coat your throat when you swallow. When you have a sore throat, you’ll probably feel most comfortable with a humidity level between 40% and 60%.^{[13]
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- A humidifier can help during the day and especially at night, when your throat can really dry out and cause you to swallow saliva repeatedly.
- A high humidity level—above 60% and especially 70%—can also cause problems. It may cause additional congestion and increase the number of allergens in your home. So, in some cases, you may be better off using a dehumidifier instead of a humidifier.
6
Sleep on elevated pillows to minimize sinus drainage. Unfortunately, post-nasal drainage can cause throat irritation and trigger you to swallow. Elevating yourself may help you limit this effect. Position extra pillows or an extra blanket under your head so your upper body is propped up.^{[14]
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Harvard Medical School
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7
See your doctor for a severe or long-lasting sore throat. Most sore throats are caused by common viruses and pass within around 3-7 days. If your sore throat is extremely painful or lasts for more than 7 days, though, contact your doctor. Also call your doctor if you experience symptoms like a high fever, chills, or breathing difficulties.^{[15]
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- Contact the doctor if your child has a sore throat for more than 3 days, or right away if the sore throat is accompanied by swollen glands or a temperature above 38 °C (100 °F). Kids age 5-15 are most at risk for developing strep throat and similar bacterial infections.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Treating an Anxiety Issue

1
Talk to your doctor if swallowing causes you anxiety. Even if you don’t have a physical issue like hypersecretion, a globus, or a sore throat, swallowing can be stressful. Swallowing is a common sensorimotor disorder—a greatly increased awareness of an unconscious bodily function that causes tremendous anxiety. If this sounds like your experience with swallowing, give your doctor a call.^{[16]
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- Sensorimotor disorders fall within the OCD spectrum.
- You might experience great anxiety when swallowing anything, or be particularly anxious about swallowing saliva.
- Your anxiety about swallowing may cause you to repeatedly “test” yourself to make sure you can do it, with the result being that you’re constantly swallowing your saliva.
2
Reassure yourself that it’s okay to swallow. Your doctor may refer you to an OCD spectrum expert, who in turn will work with you to devise treatments and techniques to handle your unique condition. One common technique is to frequently remind yourself that swallowing is perfectly normal, that you are perfectly capable of swallowing, and that it’s okay to swallow saliva when needed.^{[17]
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- For example, you might tell yourself things like the following: “It’s time to swallow now, swallowing is normal, and I can swallow without any problems.”
3
Use “body scan” and mindfulness techniques as needed. These techniques help you to spread your awareness to your entire body, rather than focusing so much on swallowing. Body scanning involves drawing your focus to individual body parts in a sequential process. Similarly, mindfulness involves bringing your attention to all the sensory experiences you are having in the present moment.^{[18]
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- You can work on these techniques yourself, but you may have greater success under the guidance of a trained mental health professional.