Excessive saliva and inadequate supplies of saliva in the mouth (dry mouth) can be equally problematic health issues. Luckily, natural remedies exist to help either increase or decrease your saliva production.

The mouth's salivary glands are necessary to produce the saliva that initiates chemical digestion, consolidates food so that it is easier to swallow, and to clean the mouth of food and bacteria after eating. Yet the salivary glands can become blocked, swollen, and painful due to infection. Some genetic conditions also result in excessive salivation and drooling or inadequate salivation - with negative effects on digestive health in both cases.

Home Remedies: Chewing gum and adding sea salt to your diet could help moderate or control excess saliva. Starting your meal with a bitter or sour food will also stimulate your digestive system, in the case of dry mouth due to inadequate saliva production.