Sialorrhea, also known as hypersalivation, is characterized by an excessive production of saliva in adults or children, which can accumulate in the mouth and even go outside.
Generally, this excess of salivation is normal in young children, but in older children and adults it can be a sign of illness, which can be caused by neuromuscular, sensory or anatomical dysfunction or even by transient conditions, such as the presence of cavities, oral infection, use of certain medications or gastroesophageal reflux, for example.
The treatment of sialorrhea consists in resolving the root cause and, in some cases, administering medicines.
What symptoms
The characteristic symptoms of sialorrhea are excessive saliva production, difficulty in speaking clearly and changes in the ability to swallow food and drinks.
Possible causes
Sialorrhea can be temporary, if it is caused by transient conditions, which are easily resolved, or chronic, if it results from more serious and chronic problems, which affect muscle control:
| Temporary sialorrhea | Chronic sialorrhea |
|---|---|
| Caries | Dental occlusion |
| Infection in the oral cavity | Increased tongue |
| Gastroesophageal reflux | Neurological diseases |
| Pregnancy | Facial paralysis |
| Use of medications, such as tranquilizers or anticonvulsants | Facial nerve palsy |
| Exposure to certain toxins | Parkinson's disease |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | |
| Stroke |
How the treatment is done
The treatment of sialorrhea depends on the root cause, especially in temporary situations, which can be easily resolved by the dentist or stomatologist.
However, if the person suffers from a chronic disease, it may be necessary to treat excess salivation with anticholinergic remedies, such as glycopyrronine or scopolamine, which are drugs that block nerve impulses that stimulate salivary glands to produce saliva. In cases where excessive salivation is constant, it may be necessary to administer injections of botulinum toxin, which will paralyze the nerves and muscles in the region where the salivary glands are located, thus reducing the production of saliva.
For people who have sialorrhea due to gastroesophageal reflux, the doctor may recommend using drugs that control this problem. See the remedies usually prescribed for gastroesophageal reflux.
In addition, in more severe cases, the doctor may recommend surgery, to remove the main salivary glands, or to replace them near a region of the mouth where the saliva is easily swallowed. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of radiotherapy on the salivary glands, which makes the mouth drier.
