Objective To investigate the current situation of salivation in patients with orotracheal cannula, and to systematically analyze its influencing factors. Methods Patients who underwent tracheal intubation treatment in 47 tertiary comprehensive medical institutions were selected between October 10th and 20th, 2023. A cross-sectional survey method was used to conduct an online survey of the patient’s salivation status. The patients were divided into the salivation group and no-salivation group. Results A total of 565 questionnaires were collected and 561 were valid, with an effective recovery rate of 99%. Among 561 patients, 284 were males (50.62%) and 277 were females (49.38%), with an age of (59.80±10.96) years; 159 cases of salivation occurred, with a total static saliva flow rate of (7.21±3.15) mL and the incidence of salivation was 28.34% (159/561). There were statistically significant differences in age, education level, body mass index, primary disease, number of concurrent functional impairments, concurrent oral diseases, smoking, intubation days, intubation depth, intubation process, sedation and/or analgesia days, and enteral nutrition treatment between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in other indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index, neurological diseases, number of concurrent functional impairments, concurrent oral diseases, smoking, intubation days and intubation process were independent risk factors for salivation in patients with oral catheterization. Conclusion The incidence of salivation in patients with orotracheal cannula is 28.34%, which is directly related to body mass index, neurological diseases, number of concurrent functional impairments, concurrent oral diseases, smoking, intubation days and intubation process.