Foaming at the Mouth

What is foaming at the mouth?

Foaming at the mouth happens when extra spit (saliva) in your mouth mixes with air. Healthcare providers sometimes call it frothing at the mouth.

The extra spit looks like lots of small, tight bubbles. Picture brushing your teeth with twice as much toothpaste as you need. The extra, foamy spit will build up in your mouth like the suds from having too much toothpaste on your brush. The foam might dribble or drip out of your mouth without you being able to control it.

See a healthcare provider right away if you’re foaming at the mouth, especially if it’s never happened before. Some causes may be life-threatening.

What causes foaming at the mouth?

Several issues and health conditions can make your body produce too much frothy saliva. Foaming at the mouth can happen because something affects your salivary glands or your lungs and airways. It can also be a sign of a medical emergency.

Some causes of foaming at the mouth can include:

• Seizures: Having a seizure may make you froth at the mouth. It’s most commonly a symptom of tonic-clonic seizures. Children who experience febrile seizures might froth at the mouth.
• Drug overdoses: Taking too much of a prescription or recreational drug can cause life-threatening complications. Foaming at the mouth is a common sign of an opioid overdose. Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you think you or someone you’re with is experiencing an overdose.
• Pulmonary edema: This happens when fluid builds up in your lungs. When it gets into your airways, it makes you cough foamy or frothy spit. It can be caused by emergencies like heart attacks, overdoses and sepsis. Other issues, like liver disease, high blood pressure or cardiomyopathy, can cause it, too.
• Poisoning: Poisoning happens when you’re exposed to too much of a toxin and you get sick. It can be something you eat or drink (ingest) or from something you’re exposed to at home or work (an environmental factor). In the U.S., call poison control at 1.800.222.1222 if someone in your household is exposed to poison.
• Infections: It’s less common, but some infections can make you froth at the mouth. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis are two examples. Pneumonia can cause pulmonary edema, which can lead to frothing in your mouth.

Is foaming at the mouth a sign of death?

Yes, some people foam at the mouth when they’re dying.

Some causes of foaming at the mouth can be fatal if they’re not treated right away. Even if it’s not a sure sign you’re dying, a healthcare provider needs to diagnose and treat the cause as soon as possible.

How is frothing at the mouth treated?

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments based on what’s causing your mouth to foam.

You may need emergency treatment for an overdose or a heart attack. Even if the cause isn’t immediately life-threatening, you still need treatment for foaming at the mouth.

You might need:

• Antiseizure medications to manage seizures
• Heart attack treatments, like blood thinners, clot-busting medications, beta-blockers or other medications
• Naloxone for an opioid overdose
• Oxygen therapy for conditions that affect your lungs, like pulmonary edema or pneumonia
• Medications, like antivirals or antibiotics to treat infections

When should I see a healthcare provider about frothing at the mouth?

Visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience frothing at the mouth.

Call 911 (or your local emergency services number) if you think you’re having a drug overdose or heart attack. Get emergency help if someone you’re with has a seizure that lasts for more than five minutes.

Contact your provider if you know you have a condition like a seizure disorder that causes new or more severe symptoms. They may need to adjust your treatments or do some tests.

What causes foaming at the mouth during sleep?

Many of the issues that cause foaming at the mouth can affect you while you’re asleep. But it’s much more likely that you’re experiencing harmless drooling. Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any new symptoms that make you worried.