Hypersalivation: causes and treatments of excessive salivation

Hypersalivation is the production of too much saliva. It's a pretty embarrassing problem that causes you to spit and/or drool. It is very uncomfortable for the person who suffers from it, but it is also very disabling for his social life. It is called excessive salivation, hypersialorrhea.

We will confine ourselves to the term hypersalivation for simplicity.

Some people with hypersalivation become unsocial because they no longer dare to speak in public.

However, the causes of hypersalivation are known and it is sufficient to consult a doctor or a dentist to solve the problem. This is especially important because it can be due to a benign problem, but also to a more serious illness.

Where does the saliva come from?

Saliva plays an important role in our body. By moistening our food, it allows us to digest it better. It also reduces their acidity, which prevents the corrosion of tooth enamel. Finally, saliva has the ability to neutralize bacteria and viruses that we swallow when we eat or put objects or our hands in our mouth.

We have six salivary glands, with three on each side: the parotid gland, which is located under the ear, the submaxillary gland and the sublingual gland. These glands produce saliva all the time, including during sleep. When we eat, the brain sends them a message to increase their production. Chewing also triggers the production of saliva.

These six salivary glands are completed by other small glands located on the mucous membrane of the tongue and mouth, as well as on the palate and pharynx.

We secrete an average of one liter of saliva per day. It is composed mainly of water – 99% – and proteins and minerals.

What is hypersalivation?

Hypersalivation – also called hypersialorrhea – can be the result of two factors.

1 – You produce too much saliva

Hypersalivation can be triggered by hunger, in which case it is temporary and normal. But it can also be the result of different pathologies and infections.

The following problems may cause you to salivate more:

• mouth ulcers ;
• dental infection ;
• oral infection;
• inflammation of the tonsils;
• inflammation of the pharynx;
• infected or broken tooth problem ;
• incorrectly sized and/or installed dental prosthesis;
• stomatitis: inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth;
• gastritis, gastric ulcer and all other inflammations of the stomach;
• liver attack;
• gingivitis ;
• problem in the esophagus;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• infectious mononucleosis;
• nerve damage;
• Drug intoxication or taking certain medications, including the antipsychotic drug clozapine;
• nervous tics ;
• rabies disease…

Hypersalivation can also be triggered by a psychological phenomenon and by pregnancy.

2 – You produce a normal amount of saliva, but you keep it in your mouth instead of swallowing it

All ENT disorders, such as sinusitis, laryngitis, angina, etc., prevent you from swallowing normally and you keep too much saliva in your mouth instead of swallowing it.

Other diseases also have this effect:

• esophageal cancer;
• brain tumor;
• neurological disease;
• arsenic or mercury poisoning;
• allergy;
• tumor located in the mouth;
• neurodegenerative disease ;
• Charcot disease;
• Parkinson's disease;
• cerebral palsy;
• STROKE : Stroke: Stroke;
• multiple sclerosis…

What to do in case of hypersalivation?

If you find that you are salivating too much, or that you are not swallowing enough, it is essential to consult a doctor. You can see from the lists above that it can be a minor problem, such as a tooth that is damaged, but it can be much more serious and be part of the symptoms of a much more serious disease.

The first person to consult is your general practitioner or, if you feel pain in your mouth, your dentist. Your doctor can find the source of the problem right away and prescribe various treatments.

Atropine drops

Among the most common treatments are atropine drops. Placed under the tongue, they immediately decrease the secretion of saliva.

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin is injected into the salivary glands. The dosage is extremely precise and the action caused by the toxin must be strictly controlled by ultrasound. If the dosage is higher than needed, the muscles of the mouth could be injured, which would only aggravate the problem rather than solve it. The effect of botulinum toxin lasts an average of four to six months.

The surgery

It is possible to reroute the salivary canals so that the saliva produced is directed towards the bottom of the mouth and thus facilitates its evacuation by swallowing it.

In extreme cases, the surgeon may even decide to remove one or more salivary glands.

If the hypersalivation is due to a dental problem, the dentist will take the necessary steps to repair the offending tooth or treat any infections that may have developed in your mouth.

Hypersalivation due to a speech problem

Your general practitioner or dentist may also refer you to a speech therapist, as this may be a bad habit that can be cured by rehabilitation. Some people press their tongue forward too much when they speak.

The saliva then stagnates behind the lips and is no longer swallowed. As a result, certain muscles in the mouth compensate by tensing and the person will have problems with pronunciation and will sputter when saying certain words, especially those containing “p” and “b”.

The speech therapist will work with the patient to make him/her aware of the position of his/her tongue when speaking and swallowing. He will teach her to press her tongue more lightly forward to relax the muscles of the mouth. He will also give him exercises with a glass of water to better control the moment he swallows his saliva.

The results are usually quick and the problem is permanently solved in a few sessions.

Conclusion

Don't wait to see your doctor or dentist if you experience hypersalivation, it is usually a minor problem that is easily treated.

Hypersalivation: FAQ