Drooling In Babies: Causes, Benefits, Complications, Treatments And How To Manage

Drooling is defined as an unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth. It usually starts when babies reach three months of age and occurs in most healthy children who are under two years of age. Also, some babies may drool a lot while some very little.

Drooling is common in babies during their phase of growth and development. However, excessive drooling, also known as sialorrhea can be an indication of some neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy. [1]

In this article, we will discuss details on drooling in babies. Take a look.

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Causes Of Drooling In Babies

There are many causes of drooling in babies. Some of them include: [2]

• Teething
• Emotional stimuli such as crying.
• Limited ability to swallow.
• Intellectual disability.
• Lack of front teeth.
• Lesions in the oropharyngeal.
• Certain medications
• Gastroesophageal relax
• Family history of Wilson disease.
• History of Rett syndrome
• Sour of spicy foods.
• Nausea
• Central nervous system and muscular disorders such as cerebral palsy, myasthenia gravis and facial nerve palsy. [3]

Note: Drooling usually disappears by the age of two due to the physiological maturity of oral functions. If your baby still drools after the age of two, consult a medical expert.

Why Drooling In Babies Is Considered Important

Drooling in babies is often linked to their healthy growth and development. Studies say that drooling indicates:

• Healthy development of a baby's digestive system
• Sign of teething [4]
• Development of sense of smell
• Facilitation of swallowing
• Development of baby's salivary glands

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Complications Of Drooling In Babies

If drooling in babies get severe and does not stop by the age of two, it may cause complications such as: [5]

• Embarrassment and discomfort
• Emotional impairment during childhood
• Unhygienic conditions such as foul odours from the mouth.
• Soiling of clothes, books and toys due to excessive saliva.
• Social isolation and rejection which may, in turn, increase the risk of depression in children.
• Chapped or softened facial skin
• Drool rash
• Transmission of infection
• Loss of fluids and electrolytes, making the baby prone to dehydration.
• Impaired chewing function
• Impaired communication skills

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Diagnosis Of Drooling In Babies

Diagnosis of excessive drooling in babies can be carried out by the following methods:

• General examination: It includes looking for the vital signs such as rate of drooling, physical development of the baby, an inspection of wetness and staining and tongue-control in the baby.
• Associated signs: After the general examination, the medical expert may lookout for signs of intellectual disability, infections of the mouth, fever, toxicity, muscle functions and other physical and mental dysfunctions, including a family history of certain diseases such as Wilson disease, that could be causing drooling in babies. [6]

Treatment Of Drooling In Babies

Some of the treatment or management methods for drooling in babies may include:

• Medication: Some medicines or injections such as botulinum toxin A can help treat excessive drooling in babies, especially if it is caused due to cerebral palsy. [7]
• Surgical management: When medications and other interventions to treat drooling in child fails, surgical methods such as salivary duct relocation and salivary duct ligation is suggested. [8]
• Physiotherapy: It includes training or behavioural therapy to improve sensory and physical functions such as jaw stability and closure, lip closure and tongue stability to reduce episodes of drooling. [9]

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Management Of Drooling At Home

• Keep a soft cloth or tissues handy and wipe the baby's face with it to prevent the development of rashes.
• With a damp cloth clean the baby's face after feeding.
• It is good to just use water to wipe the drool on the baby's face and avoid using any harsh soap or rubbing.
• Using absorbent drool bib to prevent saliva from soiling the clothing.
• Getting a teething toy for your baby if they start drooling excessively due to teething.

To Conclude

Drooling can be problematic for both the baby and the caregiver. If you notice excessive drooling in your baby for a prolonged period, consult a medical expert for early diagnosis and treatment.