How to Take a DNA Test if You Can’t Spit

Diahan Southard

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DNA tests from 23andMe and AncestryDNA require saliva. What if you (or your relative) can’t spit to provide the sample?

“My uncle has severe Alzheimer’s. I have tried to get enough spit from him for AncestryDNA to test but have been unsuccessful. What should I do?”

This question from a client (I’ll call him Jorge) is pretty common, so I thought I’d share what I told him—and how things turned out for him. First, a little background.

DNA Tests: Saliva, Spit, Why?

Some consumer DNA tests, such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA, collect your DNA sample via your saliva. Basically, you have to spit into a little vial until it’s full.

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Why do DNA testing companies use saliva samples instead of swabs? 23andMe gives this explanation:

“The best way for us to obtain sufficient quantities of DNA for our analysis is through a saliva sample. Saliva samples offer a convenient and non-invasive method for DNA sample collection as compared to hair and blood samples. Cheek swab samples of DNA (as you may have seen on television programs or in movies) do not consistently give sufficient DNA yields for the testing that we conduct.” (23andMe)

The total amount of saliva they’re collecting is tiny—23andMe says it’s only about 2ml or 1/2 teaspon. But if you or your relative don’t produce much spit, even this small amount can feel like a lot.

Tips for Generating More Saliva

AncestryDNA gives these tips for getting enough saliva for your sample:

  • “To encourage saliva production, gently rub your cheeks from the outside (pressing them against your teeth and gums) before spitting into the tube.
  • If you find it hard to produce saliva, place 1/4 teaspoon of white table sugar on your tongue.
  • If you can’t produce enough saliva in one try, refrigerate your tube in an upright position between attempts. You can refrigerate your sample for up to a week before needing to add it to the stabilizing fluid in the saliva tube.” (AncestryDNA tutorial)

I told Jorge (and I’m repeating it here) and that he could also try using a swab to collect DNA even for his spit-sample AncestryDNA test. A determined researcher figured out how to create artificial saliva into which she put her relative’s swabbed DNA sample.

Here’s what Jorge said: “I want to THANK YOU for giving me the formula for saliva. I used it for my uncle not knowing if it would work….He could not spit, but his mouth has lots of saliva when I started doing the cheek rub. I got it. Three weeks later I got the results.”

Yay!

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DNA tests that use swabs

Another option, depending on your research goals, is to choose a testing company that doesn’t require saliva. The other DNA collection method is by swab. Both Family Tree DNA and MyHeritage DNA use swabs, or little brushes that scrape the inside of the cheek (it doesn’t hurt).

Need a little more help with DNA testing?

Autosomal 3rd edition.pngMy Autosomal DNA quick reference guide takes you through the process of testing at 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or other autosomal DNA testing companies. Learn when to test; what the test could tell you; a detailed comparison of the different testing companies; how to understand and use your ethnicity results; and more. It’s an inexpensive investment in testing.

More info on the Quick Guide please!

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<a href="https://www.yourdnaguide.com/author/guideyourdnaguide-com" target="_self">Diahan Southard</a>

Diahan Southard

As founder and CEO of Your DNA Guide, Diahan Southard has been teaching people how to find family history answers in their DNA for several years, and she's been in the genetic genealogy field since its infancy. Diahan teaches internationally, writes for popular magazines, consults with leading testing companies, is author of Your DNA Guide–The Book, and producer of Your DNA Guide–the Academy, an online learning experience.

21 Comments

  1. JE Lewis

    The link to making artificial saliva just redirects to a medicare page.

    Reply
  2. Diahan Southard

    Thanks, JE! We’ve redirected those links, and they work now.

    Reply
  3. Smiita

    This is very helpful! A relative wants to do the test but cannot produce saliva due to radiation damage to their salivary glands from cancer treatment. I have tried contacting Ancestry about the situation but have not had a response in over a month – I was starting to think it might not be possible for my relative to do the test.
    There are so many reasons a person may not be able to produce saliva and I think it’s important these DNA testing services have information readily available on their websites addressing how/if these people can participate.

    Reply
    • Lisa Oscar

      I agree I have Sjogrens syndrome and used My Heritage a while back ..still waiting for Ancestry to wake up and see the other side of this issue..

      Reply
  4. Isabella

    I can only spit bubbles. I tried sugar, cheek rubbing. I have a vial full of bubbles. A waste of money for me I’m afraid

    Reply
    • Diahan Southard

      You could try this method and use a cheek swab instead!

      Reply
    • Phoenix Lambert

      I sent in 2 separate saliva samples and didn’t get any results. Now I read the running the cheek thing, not sure it would have matter. Sucks cuz they won’t issue a refund.

      Reply
  5. Gwen Richards

    Can a test be done with a tooth brush?

    Reply
    • Diahan Southard

      It’s best to use the cheek swab included in the kit to prevent any accidental cross contamination.

      Reply
      • Olive Sheridan

        Yes I understand but the person is not available to do so but I can get a toothbrush that was used

        Reply
    • Olive Sheridan

      I am unable to obtain a saliva test from a family member, would a toothbrush be just as accurate?

      Reply
      • Diahan Southard

        You’ll want to contact the testing company directly to see what their rules are, but usually Ancestry and 23andMe will only accept the saliva vial as the DNA sample.

        Reply
  6. sins

    Қeep this going please, great jоb!

    Reply
  7. cj

    my father has saliva but unable to use his mouth to spit it out can we use a little spoon or tongue depressor to swoop it out or would that cross contaminate the sample.

    Reply
    • Diahan Southard

      I would recommend contacting the DNA testing company directly, they will be able to give you the best answer!

      Reply
  8. Carla Moss

    My father is deceased. We would like to know if the envelpoes & stamps could be used to obtain his DNA. It’s all we have. Please let me know ASAP because we are elderly children….

    Reply
    • Diahan Southard

      Unfortuantly there’s not a practical way to get DNA test results from stamps right now. In cases like yours we recommend having other family members test, such as a sibling, cousin, or child of your father.

      Reply
  9. evelyn

    are Swab DNA results as ACCURATE as Saliva DNA results, all other things being equal ?

    Reply
  10. Fred Tajbaksh

    Would this work if one could collect mouth and/ or nasal swabs from a deceased person who’s being kept in a morgue for a couple of weeks?

    Reply
    • Diahan Southard

      You would have to reach out to the testing company directly and see what their policy is.

      Reply

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