Salivation of the mouth may be a symptom resulting from the use of certain medications or exposure to toxins. It is also a common symptom of several generally easy-to-treat health problems, such as infections, cavities or gastroesophageal reflux disease, for example, and resolves when the cause is treated.
However, excessive salivation is also a very common symptom of chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Down syndrome or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, for example, and in these cases specific treatment may be needed to reduce the amount of saliva produced, such as anticholinergic medications. or botox injections.
Some of the most common causes that can cause excessive salivation include:
When the body faces an infection, it is normal for the person to feel their mouth saliva more than normal, as it is a defense of the body to eliminate bacteria. The same is true when the person has a cavity, which is a dental infection caused by bacteria.
What to do: Treatment will depend on the location and severity of the infection, as well as the causative agent, and antibiotics may be necessary. In addition, it is important to drink many fluids and eat a balanced diet.
Gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the contents of the stomach to the esophagus, to the larynx and mouth, the most common being excessive saliva production, poor digestion and pain and burns in the stomach and mouth.
What to do: Reflux treatment involves lifestyle changes, such as diet and medications that neutralize or reduce heartburn. Learn more about treatment.
The use of certain medications, such as tranquilizers and anticonvulsants, can lead to overproduction of saliva. In addition, exposure to toxins, such as mercury, can also cause this symptom.
What to do: It is ideal to talk to the doctor who prescribed the treatment, to see if it is possible to change any medications that cause minor side effects. When exposed to toxins, it is ideal to go to the hospital immediately.
During pregnancy, some women may experience excessive salivation, which may be related to nausea and vomiting associated with hormonal changes characteristic of this period.
What to do: Increased saliva production is normal at this stage. To relieve nausea and excessive salivation, pregnant women can drink ginger and lemon tea and, if they feel very uncomfortable, should go to the obstetrician to recommend more effective treatment.
Dental malocclusion corresponds to an abnormal alignment of the teeth, resulting in a poor adjustment of the teeth of the upper jaw with the teeth of the lower jaw, causing symptoms such as dental wear, difficulty articulating the jaw, loss of teeth, headaches and excess salivation. Find out what types of dental occlusion and their root causes.
What to do: Treatment of malocclusion depends on severity and can be done by placing an orthodontic device, removing one or more teeth and, in some cases, operating.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that affects movement, causing tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement and imbalance, which are symptoms that begin gradually, almost imperceptible at first, but worsen over time. time, during which new symptoms may appear, such as decreased facial expression, difficulty speaking and swallowing food, and changes in salivation. See other symptoms that may occur.
What to do: Treatment for Parkinson’s disease is usually done with the use of lifelong medications, which help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
In addition to these, there are other causes that can cause excessive salivation, some of which may be related to neurological diseases, such as cerebral palsy, facial palsy, stroke, Down syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or autism, for example.
Although in most cases the treatment of the cause of salivation solves the problem, there are situations in which the use of drugs may be necessary to decrease saliva production, such as anticholinergics or botulinum toxin (botox) injections.