Possible Causes Of Excessive Saliva Production

#1 Salivary glands

There are six major salivary glands and hundreds of minor ones. Saliva moves through tubes called salivary ducts.

Normally, the body makes up to 2 to 4 pints of saliva a day. Usually, the body makes the most saliva in the late afternoon. It makes the least amount at night.

But everyone is different. What doctors consider to be a normal amount of saliva varies quite a bit. That makes diagnosing saliva problems a bit of a challenge.

#2 Saliva in the Mouth

Saliva is drained out of the mouth cavity by swallowing and it passes down the throat and esophagus and into the stomach. Two possible causes may result in hypersalivation:

Excessive saliva production (polysialia)

Inadequate drainage of saliva, often related to swallowing problems (more frequently dysphagia which is difficulty swallowing)

#3 Sweet or hot foods:

Are you tempted by the sight of your favorite sweets? Can’t resist spicy foods? That may be the culprit behind excessive drooling. According to Dr. Suhas Patwardhan, sweet, hot or spicy foods can trigger excessive production of saliva.

#4 Swollen Adenoids

Enlarged adenoids may lead to excess saliva in the mouth. Adenoids, the tissue behind your nose and above the roof of your mouth, are a part of your immune system. Infections can cause them to become swollen – a condition that generally affects children. This condition can make swallowing difficult and, as a result, cause excess saliva. People with swollen adenoids also tend to breathe through their mouth because their nose is blocked and may experience symptoms like bad breath, cracked lips, a runny nose, and dry mouth. Other signs of swollen adenoids include trouble sleeping and frequent ear infections.

#5 Obstruction in the parotid duct

Dr Saifee Dohadwala lists obstruction in the parotid duct as a cause of excessive saliva production. The duct helps transport saliva from the gland to the mouth. Sometimes, stones can form in the duct causing an obstruction in the flow of saliva. Apart from this, any other kind of obstruction in the duct, resulting either from an injury or a blockage, can cause excessive drooling.

#6 Medicines

Certain tranquilizers, anticholinesterases, and anticonvulsants can cause excess saliva.

Medications that can cause too much saliva include:

Some seizure medicines such as Klonopin (clonazepam)

Schizophrenia medicine called clozapine (Clozaril, Fazaclo ODT)

Salagen (pilocarpine), used to treat dry mouth in people who have radiation therapy

#7 Poor oral hygiene

If you have been experiencing excessive drooling, it’s time to take a good look at your oral hygiene habits. Dr. Dohadwala names Poor oral hygiene as a factor that contributes towards excessive saliva production. So ensure you brush, floss and gargle to maintain good oral hygiene.

#8 Toxic Exposure

Exposure to toxic substances like pesticides, mercury, or snake or insect venom can cause excess saliva. Symptoms of poisoning will depend on the toxic substance that you’ve been exposed to and can range from the production of excess saliva and chills to blurred vision and breathing difficulties. Some general signs that can indicate poisoning include stomach pains, vomiting, confusion, fainting spells, and drowsiness

Seek emergency medical attention if you have been exposed to a toxic substance or suspect that you may have been poisoned.

#9 Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, a viral infection that’s mostly spread by close contact and saliva, can lead to excessive salivation. Other symptoms of this condition include a fever, rash, sore throat, fatigue, muscle ache, drowsiness, and swollen glands in your neck and under your arms.

#10 Pellagra

Pellagra is a deficiency disease caused by low levels of niacin in the system. One of the symptoms, according to Dr. Dohadwala, is excessive drooling. Check your niacin levels and include niacin rich food in your diet to avoid this condition.

#11 Rabies

Dr. Dohadwala names rabies as one of the causes for excessive drooling. The painful spasms caused around the muscles of the throat and the larynx cause the person suffering from the disease to hyper-salivate.

#12 Strep Throat

Strep throat is another infection that can cause excessive saliva. Bacteria known as group A streptococcus bacteria are responsible for this condition. Strep is spread through contaminated saliva or nasal fluids from someone who is already infected. Some other common symptoms of this condition include a sore reddened throat that might get white patches, a sudden fever, chills, pain when you swallow, and swollen glands in the neck. It is quite common among children.

#13 Too Much Saliva

Too much saliva is usually not something to worry about unless it persists. It's normal to make more or less saliva depending on what you eat or drink. Your body usually takes care of excess saliva by swallowing more.

You can make too much saliva if:

One or more salivary gland is overactive

You have problems swallowing

#14 What Can I Do If I Have Too Much Saliva?

Treatment for excessive saliva depends on what is causing the problem. It may include:

Prescription medicine

Botox shots

Surgery

#15 Side Effects

Your doctor will probably first recommend a prescription medicine to help reduce the amount of saliva you make. Such medicines include glycopyrrolate and scopolamine. Common side effects include problems urinating, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, blurred vision, and sleepiness.

#16 Drooling

If you have severe drooling, your doctor may suggest Botox injections into one or more salivary glands. This treatment is considered safe but results only last a few months. You will need to have more Botox shots in the future.

Surgery to remove a salivary gland or re-route a salivary duct may be done in severe cases. This type of surgery usually provides a permanent cure for excess saliva.

#17 Surgery

Surgery to remove a salivary gland or re-route a salivary duct may be done in severe cases. This type of surgery usually provides a permanent cure for excess saliva.

#18 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where your stomach contents move from your stomach backward into your food pipe and irritate it. GERD occurs when the ring of muscles at the bottom of your food pipe, known as lower esophageal sphincter, become weak. This stops these muscles from closing properly and allows stomach contents to leak into the food pipe. Factors like the consumption of alcohol, obesity, smoking, and pregnancy can increase your risk for this condition. So can medical problems like scleroderma, where you see an abnormal growth of connective tissue, and hiatal hernia, where a section your stomach moves into your lower chest. Certain medications used for conditions like insomnia, asthma, and high blood pressure can also cause GERD.

Other symptoms of GERD include heartburn, trouble swallowing, a sense that food is stuck behind your ribs, wheezing, nausea after eating, coughing, a hoarse voice, and a sore throat. Your symptoms may worsen after you eat, at night, or when you lie down.

#19 Nausea

Nausea is that uneasy feeling that makes you feel like throwing up. And people generally produce excess saliva just before they vomit. Many factors including infections, migraines, morning sickness, motion sickness, food poisoning, and chemotherapy can cause nausea.

#20 Pregnancy

You may produce excess saliva when you’re pregnant. This may be brought on by nausea or a reflex that’s commonly experienced during pregnancy.

This is not a cause for worry and should resolve on its own.