Increased salivation in adults: causes and treatments

15.06.2018

Increased salivation in an adult is a symptom of inflammation or disease of the gums, teeth or internal organs. It is important not only to eliminate excessive salivation, but also to correctly determine its cause, otherwise the recovery will be temporary.

Salivation is considered normal if the volume of saliva does not exceed two liters per day. It is involved in digestion, washing away pieces of food, remnants of drinks and bacterial activity from the teeth. Normally, the process of salivation is invisible to humans - we do not pay attention to it, like, for example, breathing. But if a failure occurs, then too much saliva causes discomfort.

With this disease, saliva accumulates in the mouth too quickly; you constantly have to make sure that it does not leak out and spit. It is inconvenient, unaesthetic, spoils the mood and causes discomfort. In the article we tell you what are the causes of increased salivation in men and women and how to treat it.

Increased salivation: causes and treatment

Hypersalivation - what is it?
Why is there a lot of saliva in the mouth?

Salivation during sleep

Excessive salivation during pregnancy

Treatment of hypersalivation

Saliva is not just a liquid secreted in the mouth. Saliva is involved in the digestion process and protects the body from bacteria. The process of salivation is not controlled by humans. Usually about 2 liters of saliva are produced per day. Under the influence of certain factors, its amount can greatly increase. In this article we will talk about the causes of increased salivation and how to treat it.

Increased salivation is a feature of successful conception

Ptyalism refers to the list of the first signs of pregnancy. In the first trimester, the amount of saliva secreted can increase several times, which leads to exhaustion of the body. In addition, the liquid constantly affects the skin and irritates the corners of the mouth and chin.

Excessive salivation usually occurs during early pregnancy and disappears or decreases by the beginning of the second trimester, along with toxicosis. But it happens that such an unpleasant symptom is accompanied by the entire period of bearing a child, as well as a feeling of nausea.

Increased salivation is affected by hormonal changes in a woman’s body. Hormones stimulate the function of certain glands, including the salivary glands. Other manifestations will help you understand that a symptom is indeed a sign of pregnancy:

• swelling and pain in the chest;
• constant fatigue;
• frequent urination;
• sensitivity to strong odors;
• dizziness.

A test and test results for the presence of the hormone hCG in the blood will help you verify your pregnancy.

Hypersalivation may be one of the early signs of pregnancy

Why is there a lot of saliva in my mouth?

Let's consider the possible causes of increased salivation

Correction of the condition: how to reduce salivation?

Methods of dealing with the problem depend on its cause, but if the active production of salivary fluid is associated specifically with pregnancy, and not with diseases, then it will be useful to use the following tips:

• eat often, but in small portions;
• give up starchy foods that cause a “lump in the throat” feeling;
• reduce the consumption of foods that strongly irritate the taste buds (salty, sour, etc.);
• stop chewing gum;
• eat oatmeal in the morning, which normalizes stomach acidity;
• carry mint candies with you to help stop bouts of drooling;
• brush your teeth several times a day and do not forget to use mouthwash (it can be replaced with a decoction of sage or mint);
• increase the volume of fluid consumed.

Increased production of saliva is a problem, but the expectant mother should be reassured by the fact that the secreted liquid performs a number of important functions: it neutralizes the acidity of digestive juices, moisturizes the oral cavity, contains enzymes involved in digestion and has antibacterial properties, protecting the teeth. However, if the volume of saliva is large and interferes with everyday life, there is no need to force yourself to swallow it. It is better to take napkins with you and periodically spit out the liquid.

Salivation during sleep

Sometimes, when a person wakes up, he notices wet spots on the pillow. This usually happens due to extreme fatigue and sound sleep. However, if salivation during sleep becomes a pattern, you should consult a doctor.

The main factors that provoke the secretion of saliva during sleep.

• Malocclusion or missing teeth. Saliva flows out because the teeth do not close completely.
• Difficulty in nasal breathing: runny nose, deviated nasal septum, colds. All this forces you to breathe through your mouth. Since the lips do not close, the accumulated fluid flows out. This is often accompanied by snoring.
• Deep sleep.

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Excessive salivation during pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the female body. The main reasons why an expectant mother’s salivation increases.

• Heartburn. When the acid-base balance in the stomach is disturbed, the body begins to produce a lot of saliva. This is a defensive reaction.
• Reaction to medications.
• Toxicosis. To stop gagging, the expectant mother tries to swallow saliva less often. Therefore, it may seem that there is more saliva in the mouth than usual.

A large amount of saliva does not threaten the fetus, however, if this is a consequence of any disease, then the pregnant woman should monitor her condition.

What complications are possible?

• Impaired taste perception of food.
• Dehydration of the body.
• Insomnia, disturbance of psycho-emotional state.
• Deterioration of the skin condition on the face and body.
• Infectious diseases.

What causes toxicosis?

The question of the etiology of toxicosis remains open at the moment.
Scientists continue to find new auxiliary provoking factors that can affect the development and nature of the problem. The most justified and proven theory of the progression of toxicosis during pregnancy is the formation of a “pregnancy center”, which regulates the physiological processes of the corresponding period. Against this background, the salivary, vomiting and vasomotor centers are activated, provoking the occurrence of traditional symptoms.

Factors that provoke or intensify the manifestations of toxicosis:

• Chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been statistically proven that most women suffering from gastritis, duodenitis or other gastrointestinal diseases tolerate toxicosis worse.
• Chronic stress. Emotional stress causes additional stimulation of the above centers with the progression of the clinical picture.
• Bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse).
• Age of the expectant mother. Clinically, toxicosis is more severe in women under twenty and after thirty-five years of age.
• Genetic predisposition.

The occurrence of these changes is based on the active restructuring of the woman’s body to a new state of fetal development in the womb. A fertilized egg that is implanted in the uterine cavity causes a cascade of biochemical reactions. In 90% of cases, this process is accompanied by a deterioration in the woman’s condition.

Treatment of hypersalivation

There is no single treatment method for all cases. However, you can use methods to reduce the activity of the salivary glands - sometimes they are recommended by doctors as an addition to complex therapy.

• Reception of sorbents: activated carbon, polysorb, etc.
• Taking medications prescribed by a doctor.
• Exercise therapy, massage (most often prescribed for children).
• Botulinum toxin injections.

In rare exceptions, the salivary glands are partially removed, but the downside is that there is a risk of damaging the facial nerve.

Which doctors will help you cope with this disease? Dentist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, infectious disease specialist, etc.

What to do if you notice early signs of pregnancy

In order to ensure the accuracy of the signs of pregnancy, you can use the following methods for diagnosing early pregnancy:

1. Donate blood for hCG. This method can be used a few days after conception. This type of pregnancy test is performed using a small blood sample that is analyzed in a hospital. It determines whether you have the pregnancy hormone in your body and in what quantity. Its accuracy is 99%.
2. Use a test strip. It can be used at home from the first days of the delay. To determine pregnancy, you need to dip the reagent area of ​​the test strip into urine. Accuracy: 99%. You can purchase Evitest or HomeTest test strips in our pharmacy.
3. Use an inkjet or electronic test. They can be used at home a few days before the expected start date of menstruation. You need to remove its protective cap, place the test under stream of urine for 10 seconds, and get the result in 3-5 minutes. Accuracy: 97%. In our pharmacy you can purchase Evitest or Alpe inkjet tests.
4. Get your first ultrasound. You can use this method 3-4 weeks after the start of your missed period. At this time, an ultrasound will show the fact of intrauterine pregnancy, and the place of attachment of the fertilized egg will also be determined. Accuracy: 100%.

The role of saliva

As experts explain, saliva performs several important functions at once: it washes away food debris from the teeth, softens food, facilitating its subsequent digestion, and even supplies teeth with calcium, strengthening them. Indeed, chronic dry mouth is often a harbinger of caries. However, our body must produce exactly as much saliva as is necessary to ensure these important processes, and not a drop more. Drooling and the need to constantly swallow saliva can be signs of increased saliva secretion, which can cause a lot of discomfort.