Sialorrhea, i.e. the excessive production of saliva, is a phenomenon that must be investigated with your doctor unless it is an occasional event.
Sialorrhea, what is it
When you are faced with an appetizing dish, your mouth is watering and this is a normal reaction. Sialorrhea, on the other hand, is a different situation and there may be many reasons that lead to an increase in saliva production.
Sialorrhea, the causes
First and foremost, stomach acid can be a cause of hypersalivation, because when the acid rises there is a response of the salivary glands that are stimulated to work harder. Therefore, sialorrhea is not always linked to situations of the mouth, but can arise from alterations or disorders that also occur far from the oral cavity.
In old age and in the absence of lesions and pathology, sialorrhea can be linked to alterations of the parasympathetic nervous system. The salivary glands can therefore tend to produce an excessive amount of saliva and perhaps even at night, when swallowing control decreases, it can happen that saliva comes out of the mouth. Similarly, there may be situations related to the use of drugs. Obviously, attention must also be paid to teeth and gums or a dental prosthesis that is not perfectly suited to the structure of the mouth.
Furthermore, an excess of salivary production can occur when the disorders are localized to the respiratory tract, such as inflammation of the throat, or in those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux with acid that rises from the stomach towards the esophagus and in some way acts as a ” stimulant ”in the production of saliva.
Sialorrhea, what to do
There are many and different causes of drooling, which is why you should always contact your doctor. But it should be remembered that proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are essential to keep the mouth healthy. Saliva is therefore an important indicator of our well-being.
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“Daily Health Pills” is the podcast series by DiLei TakeCare, curated by Federico Mereta. In each episode we talk about prevention, care and good habits.