If you’ve ever had too much saliva, you already know how uncomfortable it can be. When saliva production goes up all of a sudden, it can cause drooling, trouble speaking or swallowing, and embarrassment in public. But this doesn’t happen very often and can happen for many different reasons.
In this article, we’ll talk about what causes the sudden overproduction of saliva and what you can do about it.
Saliva is a natural lubricant that keeps your mouth moist and helps your body break down the food you eat. But when the amount of saliva comes out all of a sudden, it can be very uncomfortable.
Excessive salivation can be a sign of an underlying health problem, but it can also be caused by a number of other things.
What is Saliva?
Saliva is a clear fluid that the salivary glands in your mouth make. It has water, mucus, electrolytes, and enzymes that help break down food.
Saliva also keeps your mouth moist, neutralizes acids in your mouth, and protects your teeth from decay.
Normal Saliva Production
A healthy adult makes between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of saliva every day, on average. When you eat or smell food, your saliva production goes up, and when you sleep, it goes down. But if you start making more saliva than usual out of the blue, it could be a sign of a more serious health problem.
Why Your Body Makes Too Much Saliva
There are a few reasons why your mouth might start making more saliva than usual all of a sudden. Some of the most common reasons are:
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Medical Conditions
Excessive salivation can be a sign of a number of health problems, such as:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (GERD)
- Parkinson’s illness
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) Stroke
- ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Bell’s palsy
- Rabies
- Syphilis
and more.
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Pregnancy
Changes in hormones can happen during pregnancy, which can make you make more saliva. This is called ptyalism gravidarum, and it usually goes away after the baby is born.
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Medications
As a side effect, some medicines can make you salivate more. These things are:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Muscle relaxants
Some of the medicines used to treat Parkinson’s causes it too.
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Infections
There are some infections that can cause you to salivate a lot, such as:
- Thrush
- Viral infections such as the flu or cold
- Sinus infections
- Emotional Factors
- Emotional factors such as stress and anxiety can also lead to excessive saliva production.
- Reflux
Because stomach acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause you to make more saliva.
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Allergies
Due to stuffy noses and postnasal drip, allergies can cause you to make more saliva.
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Neurological Disorders
There are a number of neurological conditions that can cause more saliva to be made.
- Parkinson’s illness
- ALS Multiple sclerosis (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Stroke
- Dental Issues
Tooth problems like gum disease, cavities, and infections can also cause more saliva to be made.
Other Causes
Other, less common reasons for too much salivation are:
- Ingesting poisonous substances
- Mouth sores
- Mouth and throat cancers
- Oral surgery or an accident
If you suddenly have a lot of salivae and don’t know why you should talk to a doctor to find out what’s going on.
ALSO SEE: How to Cure Mouth Odor Permanently
Home Remedies for Excessive Saliva Production
Even though having too much saliva can be uncomfortable, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease the symptoms. These things are:
- Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can help move the saliva around the mouth and help you swallow it.
- Drinking a lot of water will help get rid of the extra saliva.
- Citrus fruits and spicy foods, which make you salivate more, should be avoided.
- Using techniques to relax to reduce stress and anxiety
- Taking care of your teeth and gums to avoid infections and dental problems
Conclusion
Having too much saliva can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is usually nothing to worry about. But if you suddenly or constantly make too much saliva, you should see a doctor to find out why.
By finding out why you make too much saliva, you can better deal with the symptoms and improve your oral health as a whole.
FAQs
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Can stress cause excessive saliva production?
Yes, stress and anxiety can make you spit out more saliva.
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Is having a lot of saliva a sign of Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, Parkinson’s disease can cause you to make a lot of saliva.
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Can pregnancy cause excessive saliva production?
Yes, hormonal changes can happen during pregnancy, which can cause you to make more saliva.
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Can taking medicine make you salivate a lot?
Yes, a side effect of some medicines is that they make you salivate more.
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Is there anything you can do at home to stop making too much saliva?
Yes, there are some things you can do at home to stop making too much saliva, like chewing gum, drinking a lot of water, and learning how to relax.