Causes of excessive salivation in a child

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

If the child is a year old, profuse salivation is considered the norm. All this will pass as soon as he grows up. However, in older children, hypersalivation may indicate the development of an unpleasant disease. The article discusses the causes that cause profuse salivation.

False hypersalivation

Excessive salivation in a child who goes to kindergarten or school can adversely affect social adaptation. The fact is that other children, as a rule, begin to tease, and this will inevitably lead to mental disorders and, accordingly, aggravate the situation.

But before taking action, it is important to see a doctor. Only he can correctly diagnose. The fact is that hypersalivation is false. Most often, it is provoked by injuries of the tongue, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity or bulbar nerve fibers. These pathologies reduce the swallowing function, so it may seem that there is more saliva than usual. Everything returns to normal once the root cause problem is resolved. In the case of false hypersalivation, abundantsalivation is a consequence of the disease.

Causes of excessive salivation in a child

Children of any age can develop hypersalivation. Doctors believe that they can provoke it:

• Physiological changes. There are no deviations from the norm or pathologies in this process. These changes include adolescence with hormonal changes and the appearance of the first teeth.
• Pathologies of complex genesis. These reasons can have serious consequences. If a child is diagnosed with swallowing disorders, neurological diseases, rickets, inflammation of the nerves, muscle paralysis, then it is necessary to constantly see a doctor.

Only a specialist can determine the exact cause. To make a diagnosis, he will need not only to examine the child, but also to know the full clinical picture. How does pathology manifest itself, what features does it have? Parents can answer these questions. And, of course, you will need an examination and testing.

Physiological changes

As mentioned above, the physiological changes that occur in the body are considered normal. Abundant salivation in a child of 2 months and up to a year, as well as in adolescents, should not cause concern to parents. Of course, it is necessary to observe in order not to miss the development of any pathology. Let's look at when hypersalivation is considered the norm.

Teething

As you know,newborn babies do not have teeth. They begin to erupt at about 3 months. Abundant salivation in a child for this reason can last up to 18 months. Why is teething accompanied by increased salivation? The human body is designed in a special way. It has a self-protection function. It is she who causes profuse salivation at the time of teething.

When a tooth breaks through the gum, a small wound forms. And saliva flushes it out so that an infection does not develop. In scientific language, this is called internal debridement of the oral cavity.

In addition to the large amount of saliva, the child also has other symptoms:

• loss of appetite;
• temperature increase;
• capricious behavior;
• decreased activity, fatigue.

Hormonal changes

Why does a child begin to salivate profusely at 12 years old? This question worries many parents. And the answer is simple. It is at this age that hormonal changes begin. Girls get their period and boys ejaculate in the morning. It is these factors that indicate that their body is preparing for adulthood.

Many parents think that adolescence is 15-16 years old. But it's not. The restructuring of metabolic processes begins 3-4 years earlier. During this period, in addition to an increased amount of saliva, acne and sweating are also observed.

In order to help a teenager to more easily endure these changes, you will needcontact a specialist. He will tell you how to properly care for your body, select a balanced diet and prescribe homeopathic remedies. As soon as the hormonal background stabilizes, hypersalivation will disappear on its own.

Inability to swallow saliva

This pathology is rarely diagnosed. May occur in a child as young as 2 years old. Abundant salivation, drinking avidly, uncontrolled appetite, problems with breastfeeding - all these symptoms indicate that the baby does not know how to swallow saliva. If the pathology is detected in time and therapy is started immediately, then it will be possible to get rid of the problem by the age of 3-4.

Oral diseases

Unfortunately, small children, getting acquainted with the world around them, pull all objects into their mouths. This inevitably leads to the development of unpleasant diseases. The most common is stomatitis. Also, excessive salivation in a child at the age of 3 can cause spastic disorders, neurological abnormalities, and inflammation of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

The parent will be able to determine the development of such pathologies on their own. It is necessary to regularly examine the oral cavity. If the child has reddened, a white coating and swelling have appeared, then it is important to immediately consult a pediatrician. Neurological disorders are manifested by frequent convulsions, lethargy, and a sluggish reaction to everything that happens around. Due to the fact that such a child has a developmental delay, he cannot swallow saliva, so it will flow profusely from his mouth. With such a problem, you need to make an appointment withneurologist.

Rickets

Profuse salivation in a child may appear if he has a lack of elements such as phosphorus and calcium. The disease is referred to as rickets. It has many unpleasant symptoms and is aggravated by serious consequences. The child, in addition to profuse salivation, will also suffer from excessive sweating, arrhythmias, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and baldness. In addition, over time, the size of the abdomen and head increases, and the spine and legs are strongly curved. If a medical correction is carried out at the initial stage, then the general condition of the child will improve, and the bones will get stronger.

Poisoning

The most dangerous cause of excessive salivation in a child is poisoning. It is important to understand that it can lead to serious consequences or even death. Parents need to keep an eye on their children, especially if substances such as pesticides, iodine, thinner, mercury, liquid bleach, and others are stored at home. In no case should you self-medicate. If there is a suspicion of poisoning with a potent substance, call an ambulance. Only doctors will be able to determine the severity and decide whether there is a need for hospitalization. Symptoms that occur after taking a harmful substance are vomiting, excessive salivation, nausea, loose stools, weakness, pallor of the skin.

Factors

Thus, it is possible to identify the main reasons that can provoke abundantsalivation in a child. Some of them have already been described above. The process of eruption of milk teeth is considered the most harmless. The greatest amount of saliva is formed in the period from 4 to 7 months. There are no pathologies in this, this is how the body reacts to this process.

But if profuse salivation has begun in a child aged 2 years and older, then it is necessary to check the oral cavity for the formation of infectious wounds and inflammatory processes. The most common cause of this pathology is stomatitis. With it, the mucosa is damaged, which provokes an increase in the amount of saliva. Another disease is gingivitis. It is diagnosed in those children whose gums have become inflamed. In this case, excessive salivation is not a symptom, but simply a defensive reaction.

This problem also occurs in cases of parasitic infestation (clay infestation). In order to get rid of the increased separation of saliva, it is necessary to treat the underlying pathology. Also, children diagnosed with cerebral palsy or colds suffer from hypersalvation.

What to do?

Profuse salivation in a child 2 months old and older can be both a norm and a deviation. It is from this that we must build on, deciding what to do when we find such a problem. If the reasons are related to physiological changes, then parents do not need to worry. Everything will pass by itself. But in the case of a disease, a symptom of which is an abundant separation of saliva, it is urgent to make an appointment with a doctor, and in some situationscall an ambulance.

In order for the doctor to confirm hypersalvation, he will need no more than ten minutes. If there is a suspicion of a specific disease, then an examination by a highly specialized specialist, for example, a dentist, a neuropathologist, is additionally prescribed. The latter will not only make an accurate diagnosis, but also prescribe an effective treatment. Alternatively, anticholinergics may be prescribed. They are designed to reduce the activity of the nervous system. Thanks to the intake of such drugs, its effect on the mucous membrane is reduced, respectively, the amount of saliva will decrease.

In case of nervous disorders, drug therapy is supplemented with special therapeutic exercises and homeopathic preparations with anthropin. Facial massage also gives good results. It relaxes muscle tension. Rarely, radiation therapy may be given.

If it is not possible to find out the cause of excessive salivation, and the chin and skin around the face turn red and become painful to the touch, then it is recommended to use ointments or creams. They will help to remove irritation and reduce discomfort. It is important to wipe the discharge regularly. Use for this you need either napkins or a soft cloth. No effort is needed, the saliva is carefully removed so as not to injure the skin.

Traditional medicine

With the help of folk remedies, you can also fight with excessive salivation. For this, herbal infusions are used. Sage, nettle, watery pepper, oak bark are great.

Some mothers share their recipes, give advice. It is believed that viburnum helps a lot. An infusion is made from the berries, which should be rinsed in the mouth several times a day. You can even drink it. Preparing this tincture is very simple. Viburnum berries are taken, knead well. This slurry is filled with boiling water. It is necessary to insist until the liquid cools down. Strain before taking.