Salivating When Clenching

[Clip]

In general I have a very wet mouth, even when not smoking. But I have found when I clench a pipe, I salivate excessively.I also don’t find it very comfortable on my teeth. This leads me to typically hold a pipe; which isn’t a huge deal since I read and smoke typically. Does salivating go away eventually? Or is clenching just not for everyone?

 

[Uguccione]

I have the same problem as you, but with a little attention, I can keep the pipe in my mouth for about a minute or a little less, without problems; then I take it in my hand - also to rest my teeth - I swallow and put it back in my mouth.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I just always have a pipe in my mouth, even when it's not lit, or after I've finished it.
Is it for everyone? Kinda sounds like it may not be. Of course, even smoking a pipe isn't for everyone. Do whatever makes you happy. And, don't do what stresses you out.

 

[dottlejockey]

I think pipe design makes a difference here as well, with respect to salivation. A larger, bent pipe may be more conducive to collecting saliva in the stem than a smaller billiard design, for example. Something to consider. Also the way the pipe is held. If clenching just behind the button and allowing the pipe to have a downward cant, also more conducive. If a smaller, lightweight, straight billiard is clenched a little farther back with the sides of the teeth finding a comfortable spot which reduces weight on the teeth and keeps the pipe more upright, i'd think this would both be a more comfortable position for longer clenching and less conducive to the collection of saliva in the process due to position and orientation.

In addition, over life things change as well. I never was much of a clencher for most of my piping years until relatively recently. My tastes trended toward larger, chunkier danish styles and slowly gravitated toward lighter, Italian briars and finally i'm starting to really appreciate smaller bowls and clenching became a natural part of that experience. Also find myself smoking more pipes while driving these days, which used to be a time when i'd smoke more cigars. Things change, preferences evolve, techniques develop, the discoveries never end, hence we call it the pipe journey.

 

[AroEnglish]

Do you have this issue all the time when you clench or only sometimes? I have the same issue and find it's the worst when clenching and moving. Also seemingly my pipes with the widest bits encourage the salivating while the narrower ones discourage it.

 

[K.E. Powell]

For some it does get better over time, and others not. Some people, myself included, are wet smokers. It is what it is.

 

[FLDRD]

In general I have a very wet mouth, even when not smoking. But I have found when I clench a pipe, I salivate excessively.I also don’t find it very comfortable on my teeth. This leads me to typically hold a pipe; which isn’t a huge deal since I read and smoke typically. Does salivating go away eventually? Or is clenching just not for everyone?

Habituation / practice made a lot of difference over time for me.
Initially I felt like one of those dogs that always has slobber dribbling out of it's mouth.
Now, not so much.

 

[tobakenist]

This is why Peterson invented a System Pipe, also Falcon pipes works with wet smoking plus other makes deal with it, I have a wet mouth but don't clench, if I don't use a system pipe I sit and always make sure that I tilt the pipe upwards, I have been smoking a pipe since the 60's and have developed a technique to combat a wet mouth.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Wet here also, but with filter pipes it's not as much as a problem with saliva in the pipe as wet lips. I tend to take it out and wipe my mouth some. Also spitting off the porch happens. Having a drink nearby to sip on intermittently helps to mitigate that also..

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

It'll get better with time.

When I was a kid and I would put a dip of snuff in my mouth I'd be spitting every 10 seconds.

The drooling on your pipes thing probably goes away once your mouth gets used to having smoke in it all the time.

 

[mpjetset]

It'll get better with time.

When I was a kid and I would put a dip of snuff in my mouth I'd be spitting every 10 seconds.

The drooling on your pipes thing probably goes away once your mouth gets used to having smoke in it all the time.

Yes this is the best answer. If you *think* about drooling you might.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I dont know about this "wet smoker" thing...

You really ain't supposed to be drooling down the pipe stem.

Can you imagine how bad that would foul up a pipe after a salad with blue cheese, or a chili dog with those strong onions.

There aren't any rules, and slobber if you wish... But damn.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Some blends/stems create a drool-fest for me, others not so much. Many of my favorite clenchers allow me to “choke up” on the stem, positioning the button along where my gum line transitions to the roof of my palate proper.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I am really sorry, but...

 

[anotherbob]

I think a lot of the wet mouth might be from smoking hot. I haven't had the problem at all since I learned to slow my roll a little and sip instead of puff.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I dont know about this "wet smoker" thing...

You really ain't supposed to be drooling down the pipe stem.

Can you imagine how bad that would foul up a pipe after a salad with blue cheese, or a chili dog with those strong onions.

There aren't any rules, and slobber if you wish... But damn.

View attachment 331826

There isn't much to understand, to be honest. It's like sweating, i.e. some people sweat a lot and others don't. Conditioning can help some but not all.

I can only speak for myself, but having anything in my mouth for more than a minute makes me salivate. I've tried to condition myself out of it, but the effect has been minimal.

 

[Sig]

Like @dottlejockey said, holding the pipe just behind the button may help. This helped me and was a suggested fix back on the old Smokers Forums.
Some suggested that if too much of the stem touches your tongue, it can trigger your salivary glands.

 

[DKpiper]

I've never been a clencher - only for a very short time.
After some dental-work a few years ago it got worse - couldn't clench at all.
Then I discovered Soft Bites. Using them and practicing slower cadance (just sipping) have maked a big difference.
Now I can clench for 5 - 10 minutes before taking the pipe out and give my mouth a short "rest".
You could give it a try - it works for me.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Something I took note of this morning that I suppose is mitigating (I like that word apparently) wet in the pipe is that when I'm not puffing, my tongue rests on the hole in the bit, effectively plugging it so nothing runs down there. It's not by design, it's just what developed.

 

[BingBong]

I'm not sure that this affects those of us who smoked cigarettes. The only tobacco blend that makes me salivate a bit is Cabbies, because of the flavour, but it's more enjoyable and sought-for than a problem really.