A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth don't produce enough saliva. This is often the result of dehydration, which means you don't have enough fluid in your body to produce the saliva you need.

Can dehydration cause excessive salivation?

Dehydration. If your body loses more fluid than it's taking in, you can become dehydrated. Dry mouth is one symptom of dehydration, and your saliva may thicken in response to the lack of fluids in your body.

What causes excessive saliva in the mouth?

Drooling is usually caused by excess saliva in the mouth. Medical conditions such as acid reflux and pregnancy can increase saliva production. Allergies, tumors, and above-the-neck infections such as strep throat, tonsil infection, and sinusitis can all impair swallowing.