The amount of saliva in your mouth varies significantly depending on several factors. There isn't a single number that defines "normal," but we can look at ranges and influencing factors.
Daily Saliva Production
A person normally produces between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of saliva per day. This production isn't constant; it fluctuates throughout the day. Unstimulated saliva flow is approximately 0.3-0.4 ml/min, decreasing to 0.1 ml/min during sleep and increasing to 4.0-5.0 ml/min during eating, chewing, and other stimulating activities. [Reference: Uncited text provided]
Saliva Volume Before and After Swallowing
Studies show that the maximum volume of saliva in the mouth before swallowing (VMAX) varies. One study found a mean VMAX of 1.19 ml in males and 0.96 ml in females, but this isn't necessarily indicative of total saliva production. [Reference: The volume of saliva in the mouth before and after swallowing]
Factors Affecting Saliva Production
Several factors influence how much saliva you have in your mouth at any given time:
- Eating and Chewing: Saliva production significantly increases during meals.
- Sleep: Saliva production decreases during sleep.
- Medications: Some medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia) or increased saliva production (hypersalivation).
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can affect saliva production, leading to either excessive or insufficient saliva.
- Age: Saliva production can decrease with age.
Excessive or Insufficient Saliva
While a few milliliters in the mouth at rest is perfectly normal, excessive salivation (ptyalism) or dry mouth (xerostomia) can indicate underlying medical problems. Excessive salivation may be triggered by infections like sinus infections, strep throat, or mononucleosis. Dry mouth, conversely, can increase the risk of tooth decay. [References: Why Is My Mouth Producing So Much Saliva Suddenly?, Dry Mouth | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research]
Saliva is mostly water (99%), with the remaining 1% consisting of proteins and salts. Its key functions include aiding digestion, protecting teeth, and preventing oral infections. [Reference: Saliva between normal and pathological. Important factors in ...]
In short: While the daily production of saliva is a better measure than the momentary amount in the mouth, a few milliliters at rest is typical, and significant deviations should prompt medical evaluation.
