Salivary glands produce saliva and empty it into a person’s mouth. Saliva helps make food moist, making it easier for people to chew, swallow, and digest. Saliva also helps keep the mouth clean. A ...

Thick saliva can result from dehydration or breathing through the mouth. However, it can also indicate a more serious condition, such as Sjögren disease or cystic fibrosis. Finally, several ...

Your salivary glands produce saliva and empty it into your mouth through slots called ducts. When these ducts become blocked, they can't produce enough saliva to moisten your food for proper eating.