Excessive Salivation During Pregnancy

What Is Saliva?

It is a liquid that is secreted by the glands in the mouth. The main constituent of saliva is just water. Other than this, the saliva contains proteins and minerals that aid in the digestion of the food.

Saliva is extremely important for a healthy body, especially oral health. It helps to chew, taste, and swallow, and also protects the teeth and gums from germs.

How Much Of Saliva Becomes Excessive?

It might actually surprise you to know that a normal person generates one-and-a-half quarts of saliva every day. That is quite some quantity.

No one is aware of this because swallowing of the saliva takes place in a passive way. In the case of a pregnant woman, the quantity of saliva can go up to two quarts or even higher, creating a discomfort.

Why Does Excessive Salivation Happen To Pregnant Women?

Excessive salivation does not happen to pregnant women alone. It can happen to anyone but is widely found among carrying women. The reasons for this aspect are so obscure that even the medical field does not have concrete answers for it. However, some possible causes are believed to be responsible, which are discussed further in the article.

At Which Stage Of The Pregnancy Period Does This Happen?

Reports suggest that in most cases, excessive salivation happens during the first trimester around the sixth week or even earlier and fades slowly. To be more precise, excessive salivation happens at the onset of morning sickness and goes away when this stops. Some unlucky women have to manage the situation throughout their pregnancy term.

Some Of The Causes For Excessive Salivation Are As Follows:

Hormones

For anything and everything related to pregnancy, hormones are always the first to be blamed. Drastic fluctuations of hormones in the body are believed to be the prime reason. Medical science has no proven facts to establish this cause, but the working of progesterone and oestrogen in the pregnant body is so dominant that this cannot be ruled out.

Nausea

Nausea and pregnancy go hand-in-hand. The feeling of nausea will not entertain the intake of any food and this includes the swallowing of saliva. As a result, the saliva builds up in the mouth and the only way it can be handled in extreme cases is to spit it out. The possibility of excessive salivation is higher in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Heartburn

Another symptom of pregnancy is heartburn, which tends to increase the production of saliva. The acidic content of the stomach creates a burning sensation in the oesophagus when it backs up. To combat this, extra saliva which is alkaline in nature is produced. When swallowed, it soothes the oesophagus and neutralizes the gastric acid.

Other Possible Factors

Inhalation of smoke can trigger the salivary glands to produce more saliva.
An unattended decay in the tooth and oral infections also contribute. This is why dental check-up is done during pregnancy.
Exposure to toxins, such as mercury and pesticides.
Probably some medical conditions or medications taken by the mother.

Is This Harmful?

Talking about excessive salivation in the perspective of health, it does not cause any harm to the growth and well-being of the baby in the womb as well as the carrying mother.

It is suggested to check with the doctor to make sure that the underlying cause for excessive salivation is not any other serious issue other than the ones related to pregnancy.

Remedies For Excessive Salivation

Excessive salivation can be brought under control with these.

Stay hydrated. Take regular sips by keeping a water bottle handy.
Avoid starchy food and consume small, regular meals.
Oral care is a must. Brush and use a mouthwash several times in a day.
Try some hard candy and chewing gum.
The least you can do is to spit the saliva out.