We naturally produce saliva for protection against harmful bacteria and to aid in digestion, but sometimes we can have too much of this good thing. Excessive salivation may be present when we think of our favorite tasty treat or when we are nervous. When it persists, excessive saliva can become known as hypersalivation and may be a sign of a serious underlying health disorder. Learn when too much saliva becomes dangerous, as well as how to stop excessive saliva with hypersalivation treatment options.
Saliva is an essential byproduct to kickstart the digestion process. It provides lubrication for swallowing, as well as protection against tooth decay and gum disease. On average, we can expect to produce one to two liters of saliva daily.
Since it is a continuous process, we usually have more at certain times of the day, with specific internal and external triggers. Let’s take a look at hypersalivation causes.
Causes of Excessive Salivation
Whether excessive salivation production occurs during the early morning hours upon awakening or throughout the day, it is important to recognize the causes to determine the proper excessive salivation treatment.
Excessive salivation causes linked to non-medical factors and conditions include thinking, seeing, smelling, and tasting food. Other contributing factors can include feelings of anxiety or nervousness, the tactile feeling of a smooth object in the mouth, the chewing process, and pregnancy.
Medical hypersalivation causes may fall under the category of dental issues as a result of prosthetics, water brash, bruxism, temporomandibular joint problems, and mouth pain. Also, diseases and disorders can cause profuse saliva production. Nerve disorders, specifically facial nerve disorders such as Bell’s palsy, can be linked to excessive saliva.
You may experience hypersalivation with gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, infections, inflammation, gastritis, syphilis, upper respiratory tract problems, rabies, or generalized pain. Additionally, cases of poisoning can have the body react in various ways, including drooling at the mouth due to the excessive production of saliva. These incidents can occur with metal poisonings such as with mercury and arsenic, from insect bites, reptile venom, and as an effect of ingesting poisoned mushrooms.
Using certain prescribed medications and illicit drugs can stimulate an overproduction of saliva. These include drugs classified as ketamine, cholinergic, psychoactive, and narcotics.
Home Remedies to Treat Hypersalivation
When we salivate excessively during times of excitement or while we’re enjoying the best dessert we have ever tasted, it is usually temporary and needs no treatment. In cases where you experience chronic overproduction, there are natural remedies you can try at home.
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon expels excess bacteria, which helps decrease saliva production. It is best to drink cinnamon as a tea daily to avoid its potent power of creating an environment of too little saliva production.
You can make the tea using crushed cinnamon sticks. Then add honey to taste after straining, if you wish.
2. Cloves
Cloves are used to calm nerves and gland production, which includes salivary glands that may be secreting excess saliva. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties will target harmful microorganisms.
Simply add some ground cloves to hot water for a daily tea treatment. You can also chew on cloves three to five times each day to treat the excess saliva.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is recommended as part of your daily diet to assist in the digestive process, which starts with the saliva you produce. Enjoy one cup of plain yogurt after a meal.
4. Water
Fight excess fluid with more fluid by increasing your water intake. By drinking water, you can alleviate excess saliva by moving it out of the mouth and throat.
5. Ginger
Ginger is known as one of the most effective natural treatments for hypersalivation. It reduces the amount of saliva produced, and it works as an anti-inflammatory in the mouth.
You can make a ginger tea using hot water and ginger root. For a more direct treatment, place a slice of fresh ginger in your mouth and leave for several minutes. Repeat this daily for the best results.
6. Mint
With excess saliva, there can be a side effect of bad breath. Mint can combat this embarrassing situation, as well as quickly eliminate any excess saliva while hindering further production.
Simply put fresh, clean mint leaves in your mouth for a few minutes. Repeat this treatment several times each day.
7. Black Pepper
Create a dry mixture of ingredients and add them to your food to control saliva production. Mix 100 milligrams each of black pepper, dried powdered ginger, and long pepper, which you can store for multiple uses.
You can combine two or three pinches of the mixture with one teaspoon of honey and eat it twice a day. You can add the dry mixture to yogurt as well.
8. Kutki
This medicinal plant root works to control both the production and amount of saliva in the mouth. Use it alone or with other herbs.
9. Neem
Use the leaves or bark of neem to reduce saliva production and treat hypersalivation.
10. Khadira
Commonly known as catechu, the khadira herb is thought to be the best natural treatment for excessive salivation among users. We produce excess saliva with the sweet, salty, and sour tastes we experience in our mouth. Catechu has astringent components to counteract this reaction. It can treat any inflammation and irritation in the mouth and throat that trigger hypersalivation.
From time to time, we may experience excessive salivation production. Whether it results from one of the external triggers such as eating something sweet or as a side effect of a prescribed medication, profuse salivating may require treatment. There are natural remedies to treat the overproduction of saliva, as well as any underlying health condition causing the excess. However, if you are experiencing chronic hypersalivation, we recommend speaking with your doctor.
Sources:
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Singh, J., “How To Stop Excessive Salivation,” Ayur Times, April 11, 2017; https://www.ayurtimes.com/how-to-stop-excessive-salivation/, last accessed May 4, 2017.
Heth, J., “6 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Excessive Salivation,” NaturalNews Blog, December 14, 2015; http://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/6-natural-ways-get-rid-saliva/, last accessed May 4, 2017.
“Saliva and Your Mouth,” WebMD, January 25, 2017; http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/what-is-saliva#2-5, last accessed May 4, 2017.