Hypersalivation: What It Means And How It Can Be Treated

Hypersalivation has been mistaken as a disease by many in the past; however, it is more of a symptom than an illness. According to experts, hyperventilation is usually caused by an underlying condition.

The conditions may range from diseases with easy treatments and common sources to rare illnesses that may prove fatal. Hypersalivation sees an excess production of saliva, a clear liquid produced by glands in the mouth. 

Its purpose is to moisten the foods we eat and aid swallowing. To help it do that, it contains enzymes that aid the digestion of food.

Aside from that, saliva has healing properties that help heal wounds and eliminate germs in the mouth. It also acts as a lubricant in the mouth and a barrier against toxins and other substances that can irritate the mouth.

An average healthy person produces between 0.75 and 1.5 liters of saliva per day; however, if the saliva is too much, it can cause issues with talking and eating as well as diminished self-esteem and social anxiety.

WHAT CAUSES HYPERSALIVATION?

Many things have the ability to trigger hypersalivation. Some of them include:

• Excessive saliva production
• An inability to properly swallow or clear saliva from the mouth
• Difficulty keeping the mouth closed

1. Excessive saliva production

A variety of things can cause excessive saliva production that eventually ends in hypersalivation. A few of them include:

• Morning sickness or nausea
• Sinus, throat, or peritonsillar infections
• Venomous bites from spiders, reptiles
• Having false teeth
• Ulcers, inflammation of the mouth
• Poor oral hygiene

2. Inability to swallow normally

The inability to swallow or clear saliva in the mouth has been linked with some underlying conditions like Down Syndrome, autism, ALS, Stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. It has been stated that people with sensory dysfunction may not know they are drooling until they are told, and many times, it takes a huge chunk out of their self-esteem

3. The difficulty of keeping the mouth closed

It is important to close the mouth to prevent air from getting in at all times, which is why we have lips, but sometimes things happen, and the lips can no longer do their jobs properly. Some reasons why it may be difficult to keep the mouth closed include:

• Terrible head and lip control
• A mouth usually left open
• Impaired tactile sensation
• An enlarged tongue
• Unbalanced teeth alignment
• Nasal blockage

TREATMENT

To successfully deal with hypersalivation, you have to treat the underlying issues that are causing it and also manage the immediate effects. The treatment will be dependent on what is causing it so it varies from case to case.

Some known treatments include therapies, prescribed drugs, home remedies, and in extreme times, surgery. If the underlying condition is the cause of the hypersalivation, the victim will need lifelong management treatment.