Eating any food can stimulate salivation, but bland, dry foods such as crackers or toast might help absorb excess saliva and provide immediate relief. If someone nearby is cooking or eating and you can’t avoid them, try to distract yourself. Keep yourself busy with an activity, sing a song in your head, write a story, or chat on the phone.
If your saliva is thick and contains a lot of mucus, drinking more water can thin it out and make it easier to swallow. Avoiding dairy products can also help if your saliva is thick.
If you’re concerned about your sugar intake, opt for a sugarless gum or candy.
Other beverages that contain tannic acid include green and black teas, coffee, and red wine. Keep in mind these drinking beverages can lead to tooth decay and staining. Be sure to floss once a day and brush your teeth at least twice a day. As a bonus, brushing could temporarily relieve excessive salivating.
You can find sage tea bags at grocery stores, health stores, and online. Alternatively, steep 1 tablespoon (14. 8 ml) of fresh sage leaves or 1 teaspoon of dried sage in 1 c (240 mL) of hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Some medical professionals recommend using sage and ginger to decrease salivation in patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and ALS. However, you should consult your doctor before taking any medicinal herb or supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take any medication. Avoid using sage extracts or tinctures if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Consuming more than 15 g of sage leaves or 0. 5 g of sage oil extract per kg of body weight could lead to hypersalivation, among other undesirable effects. [7] X Research source
Strong smells, driving, amusement park rides, bright or blinking lights, and hot temperatures are common causes of nausea. Bland foods, like toast, crackers, or broth, can help settle your stomach.
Antacids can affect the way your body absorbs other medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any prescription drugs.
Some examples of medications that can cause hypersalivation include clozapine, potassium chlorate, risperidone, and pilocarpine. Your prescriber might be able to recommend an alternative with fewer side effects. If none are available, they might prescribe another medication to manage excessive salivation.
If your child salivates and drools excessively, doing exercises can help teach them how to control the muscles involved in swallowing. If necessary, a speech therapist can also help them learn how to control the muscles in their mouth and throat. Seeing a speech therapist may be necessary for patients with a motor neuron disease, muscular condition, acute nerve damage, Parkinson’s disease, or other disorders that cause difficulty swallowing.
Oral health issues other than infections, such as structural defects, can also lead to saliva buildup. Support collars, braces, and other devices are available if any mouth, neck, or jawbone defects make swallowing difficult.
Side effects may include constipation, excessive dry mouth, decreased urination, irritability, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, constipation, flushing, headache, and blurred vision. [14] X Research source For the skin patch, irritation or itching may occur at the application site. [15] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source Make sure to discuss all of risks and benefits with your doctor before beginning any medication. Scopolamine patches can also help to decrease saliva flow, but the side effects are similar to anticholinergic medications. [16] X Research source
Similar medications include oral hyoscyamine, oral amitriptyline, and sublingual ipratropium bromide.
Botox injections need to be administered every 5 to 6 months in order to manage excessive salivation. Make sure that you see an experienced Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor for this treatment option.
There are a variety of surgical options available. Your doctor, or the medical team of the person in your care, will help determine which is appropriate. Generally, salivary gland surgery is fast and simple. Some surgeries only require local anesthesia, which means the area would be numbed and you’d stay awake during the procedure.
