#hypersalivation

Are you now grabbing for tissues more than usual, confused by an unexpected increase in saliva production? While it may appear to be a minor inconvenience, excessive salivation, or hypersalivation, can be both puzzling and uncomfortable. Understanding the causes of this sudden change in your body's behavior is crucial for addressing any underlying issues and restoring comfort.

In this blog, we will look at the various factors that can cause increased saliva production, such as dietary changes, oral health concerns, medical issues, and effects of medications.

What Is Hypersalivation?

Hypersalivation, or excessive saliva production, occurs when your salivary glands produce more saliva than usual. This may lead to a persistent need to swallow or spit out saliva, which can be both annoying and distressing. Although this is a frequent ailment, understanding the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment.

Common Causes of Sudden Hypersalivation

Several factors can induce an increase in saliva production:

Medication Side Effects

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)

Oral infections and irritations

Neurological Conditions

Pregnancy

Toxic ingestions

Treatment for Hypersalivation

Medical Treatments for Hypersalivation

Medication Adjustments: Anticholinergic medications, such as glycopyrrolate and scopolamine, are frequently used to reduce saliva production.

Topical treatments: Some topical medicines, including atropine sulfate drops, can be applied to the oral mucosa to reduce saliva flow.

Botox injections:Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) can temporarily paralyze salivary glands, reducing saliva production. This therapy is especially useful in cases involving neurological problems or when other treatments have failed.

Saliva Duct Surgery: In extreme cases, surgical procedures such as duct ligation (tying off the salivary ducts) or salivary gland ectomy may be required. 

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Dietary modifications

Oral hygiene

Hydration

Chewing Gum

Saliva Absorbing Products

Managing Underlying Conditions

Addressing GERD

Treating Infections

Neurological Support

When to See a Doctor?

If hypersalivation persists despite these therapies, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical help. They can do a complete assessment to determine the underlying reason and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Final Thoughts:

If you've recently realized that you have too much saliva, you should take a proactive approach to the situation. While hypersalivation can be difficult to manage, understanding its impact and investigating appropriate treatments can make a significant difference.

Read more here : https://www.dramarnathansdentalcare.com/hypersalivation/

Saliva, a vital fluid secreted by the salivary glands, plays a pivotal role in maintaining oral health and aiding digestion. However, the sudden onset of excessive saliva, also referred to as sialorrhea, hypersalivation, or excessive salivation, can pose a considerable discomfort for individuals.

What is hypersalivation?

Hypersalivation, or excessive saliva production, occurs when the body produces more saliva than necessary for regular functioning. This surplus can stem from a variety of factors, including underlying medical conditions and lifestyle choices.

Causes of Excessive Salivation

Several factors contribute to sudden excessive saliva production, ranging from oral health issues to neurological disorders:

Oral Health Issues: Conditions like gum disease, mouth infections, or ill-fitting dentures can stimulate the salivary glands to overproduce saliva as a defense mechanism against bacteria.

Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and drugs for Parkinson’s disease, may inadvertently trigger an increase in saliva production as a side effect.

Teething: Babies experiencing teething discomfort may exhibit heightened salivation as their bodies attempt to alleviate gum pain during the eruption of permanent teeth.

Adverse Drug Reactions: Some medications, such as those used to manage nausea, psychosis, or epilepsy, can lead to an unwanted increase in salivation.

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly in the early stages, can result in heightened salivation, commonly known as Ptyalism, which tends to diminish as the pregnancy progresses.

Dietary Habits: Consumption of spicy or sour foods, along with rapid ingestion of large quantities of food, can stimulate the salivary glands, leading to an excess of saliva.

Chewing Gum or Candy: Activities like chewing gum or sucking on hard candies can stimulate saliva production, offering temporary relief from dry mouth but potentially leading to excessive salivation.

Alcohol and Smoking: Both alcohol consumption and smoking can irritate oral tissues, prompting the body to produce more saliva as a protective measure.

Digestive Disorders: Excessive saliva can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where the body attempts to neutralize stomach acid in the esophagus.

Neurological and Nervous System Disorders: Conditions like cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke can disrupt the central nervous system's control over saliva production, resulting in excessive salivation.

Psychological Factors: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate hypersalivation, leading individuals to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about drooling excessively.

Allergies and Infections: Allergic reactions or respiratory infections can trigger increased saliva production as the body clears airways, while sinusitis and related illnesses can also lead to heightened salivation.

Nausea and Vomiting: The body may produce excess saliva as a protective mechanism against stomach acid during episodes of nausea and vomiting.

Mouth Breathing: Dry mouth caused by mouth breathing can prompt the body to compensate by producing more saliva, potentially leading to drooling.

Temperature and Humidity: High heat or humidity can cause dehydration, prompting the body to increase saliva production to maintain fluid balance.

Managing Excessive Salivation

Addressing sudden excessive saliva production involves identifying and addressing underlying causes. Lifestyle adjustments, proper oral hygiene, medication management, and seeking medical advice can help manage hypersalivation effectively.

In conclusion, sudden excessive saliva production can be distressing, but understanding its causes and implementing appropriate measures can alleviate discomfort and improve overall oral health and well-being. If experiencing persistent hypersalivation, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is essential to tailor an effective treatment plan.

When we talk about your mouth watering, we’re not referring to the sensation you may experience when smelling or eating something delicious. At our dental office in Columbia, we talk about mouth watering in terms of dental health. While saliva is an important part of maintaining good oral health, too much of it could be a sign of hypersalivation.

What is Hypersalivation?

Hypersalivation is the medical term used to describe the overproduction of saliva. Basically it means a person has too much saliva in their mouth which can cause them to drool and be uncomfortable or embarrassed. What’s more is that hypersalivation may also be a sign of an underlying problem.

What Causes Hypersalivation?

There are several things that may cause someone to produce too much saliva. Some of the most common explanations are temporary, easily treatable, and no cause for serious concern. However, other times hypersalivation may be sign of something bigger. A few reasons why someone may hypersalivate include:

Infections including gum disease

Ulcer

Acid reflux

Side effect of medication

Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease

Toxic poisoning

How Much Saliva is Too Much?

Typically people produce around 1.5 quarts of saliva every day. This saliva helps break down food to make it more easily digestible and protects teeth against acids and bacteria that can lead to cavities. However, if someone produces even more than that it can lead to hypersalivation.

Signs & Symptoms

Intense desire to spit a lot

Drool spots on a pillow

Feeling the constant need to swallow

Saliva easily falls out during regular activities

Difficulty eating or drinking

Excessive saliva production isn’t something that you should ignore. We recommend talking with your dentist in Columbia about your symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and your thorough medical history.

We’re always welcoming new patients at our Columbia dental office and will be happy to help. Schedule an appointment with our compassionate team and we’ll work with you to determine what’s causing hypersalivation and the best way to treat it. Give us a call today.

i have new neighbours, they are korean.

i can smell their cooking. the smell of korean bbq and kimchi. i know it well.

i should just invite myself over and say, “oh hai - i’m helen, i love korean food - plz gimme”.