Saliva plays a lot of important roles in our lives. It’s used to protect teeth and gums, as well as provide nutrition for oral health. But sometimes, it can be excessive and cause issues like bad breath or dry mouth. In this article, we’re going to cover the causes of excessive saliva and how you can deal with them!
Contents
What Is Excessive Saliva?
Excessive saliva is often caused by a medical condition known as hypersalivation or sialorrhea. This condition can be the result of a number of different things, including certain medications, pregnancy, anxiety, and GERD. While excessive saliva can be annoying, it is usually not a serious medical condition.
There are a few things that you can do to help manage excessive saliva. Many people find that chewing gum or sucking on hard candy helps to stimulate saliva production and keeps the mouth from feeling too dry. You can also try using a tongue scraper to remove excess saliva from your mouth. If you are, experiencing excessive drooling, sleeping with a pillow under your head may help gravity keep the saliva in your mouth. Finally, avoid foods that trigger increased saliva production, such as spicy or sour foods.
Why Do You Have Excessive Saliva?
There are many reasons why someone may have excessive saliva. It could be due to a medical condition, such as GERD or acid reflux, or it could be a side effect of certain medications. It could also be caused by anxiety or stress.
If you have excessive saliva and don’t know why it’s best to see a doctor find out the cause. They can rule out any serious medical conditions and help you find a way to reduce your saliva production.
The Oral Mucosa and Skin
The oral mucosa and skin are the two main tissues that make up the human mouth. The mucosa is a thin, wet tissue that covers the inside of the mouth and is composed of cells that produce saliva. The skin is a dry, tough tissue that covers the outside of the mouth and is composed of cells that provide protection from infection.
Excessive saliva production can be caused by a number of factors, including certain medications, medical conditions, pregnancy, stress, and anxiety. While most cases of excessive saliva are not serious, it can be annoying and uncomfortable. If you are experiencing excessive saliva production, there are a few things you can do to help manage it.
First, try to avoid trigger foods and drinks. Trigger foods and drinks vary from person to person, but common triggers include spicy food, caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, and chocolate. If you know what triggers your excessive saliva production, try to avoid these items as much as possible.
Second, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking water will help thin out your saliva, so it’s not as thick and sticky.
Third, use over-the-counter products such as sugar-free gum or mints to help keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy stimulates saliva production, which can help reduce the amount of excess saliva in your mouth.
Fourth, if your excessive saliva production is due to a medical condition or medication side.
Causes of Excessive Saliva: Diabetes and Parotid Gland Tumors
There are two main causes of excessive saliva: diabetes and parotid gland tumors.
Diabetes: When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it does produce properly. This causes a build-up of sugar in your blood, which can lead to increased saliva production. Parotid Gland Tumors: The parotid gland is located behind your ear and produces saliva. If you have a tumor on this gland, which can cause increased saliva production. Treatment for Excessive Saliva If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels under control will help reduce your saliva production. If you have a parotid gland tumor, surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor. In some cases, radiation therapy may also be necessary.
How to Deal with Excessive Saliva
If you find yourself drooling more than usual, there are a few things you can do to manage the excess saliva. First, try to identify what’s causing the problem. If you’re pregnant or have GERD, your doctor can help you find ways to manage those conditions and reduce your saliva production. If allergies are to blame, over-the-counter antihistamines may help.
If none of those solutions work, or if your excessive saliva is due to a side effect of medication, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative. In the meantime, here are a few tips for managing excess saliva:
• Keep a cup or tissue handy, so you can spit out excess saliva.
• Avoid trigger foods and drinks that make you produce more saliva, such as acidic fruits and sugary sweets.
• Suck on sugar-free hard candy or chew gum to keep your mouth moist and reduce the urge to swallow excess saliva.
• Try not to talk much or breathe through your mouth, as this can dry out your mouth and make the problem worse.
Conclusion
If you find yourself producing too much saliva, it could be due to one of the reasons listed above. Excessive saliva production is usually nothing to worry about and can be easily managed with some lifestyle changes. However, if you’re still concerned, be sure to speak with your doctor. They can help rule out any other potential causes and offer additional advice on how to reduce your saliva production.
There are a few reasons why your body might be making too much saliva. It could be that you’re nervous or anxious, which can cause your salivary glands to work overtime. Alternatively, it could be a side effect of certain medications. It could also be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as dehydration or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
If you find yourself producing excess saliva, it’s important to understand what might be causing it. Excess saliva can be a sign of an infection, so it’s best to see a doctor or dentist if you’re concerned.