Excess Saliva: What could Be The Causes Of Excess Saliva In Mouth

Causes Of Excess Saliva

The inner lining of the oral cavity contains ducts called the salivary glands that produce a liquid substance consisting of sodium, potassium, digestive enzymes and water. This liquid is commonly known as saliva. It helps in keeping the mouth well hydrated and clean, and in defending it against bacterial infections. Saliva aids in tasting of food as well as its digestion. On an average, the salivary glands produce between one and two quarts of saliva every day. As a natural body process, we constantly keep swallowing saliva while talking, breathing, and of course eating and drinking without realizing that we are doing so. Placing food inside the mouth, or even the smell of food reaching the oral cavity through the nostrils, stimulates increased saliva production, which is necessary for proper tasting, smelling and swallowing of food. Thus, when one starts feeling excessive saliva in his or her mouth, it is either because of a problem relating to swallowing or due to the overproduction of saliva by the salivary glands. This is usually a short-term condition and is rarely a cause of major concern. A condition called sialorrhea is the primary cause of excessive saliva in the mouth. This condition is triggered by factors like pregnancy, fixing of dentures, inflammation of the inner mucus membranes of the oral cavity or stomatitis, damage caused to salivary glands due to injury to the nerves, or excessive consumption of particular anticonvulsant medicines. Ulcers and cold sores may also trigger increased production of saliva, as can tooth decay and tonsillitis. There may be a decrease in the frequency and efficiency of swallowing too caused by disorders like garstroesophageal reflux, sjogren’s syndrome and bell’s palsy, which may lead to this problem.

Excess Saliva Remedies

However, if you are suffering from the problem because you are pregnant, or you have mouth infections, or are just getting adjusted to dentures, then there is no reason to worry: the problem will almost certainly disappear on its own in a few weeks. However, in order to get rid of the feeling of discomfort that excessive salivation causes, you may suck on a small slice of a fresh lemon at regular intervals. Also, you should cut down on your consumption of sweets as sugar is known to induce greater production of saliva. Chewing a few sunflower seeds and placing a pinch of ground coffee under the tongue are also useful remedies for this problem.