Drooling is a dripping of saliva from the mouth. A lot of drooling can irritate the skin of the face, neck, and chest. It can also be embarrassing to an older child.
It’s normal for babies to drool. As babies get older, they normally stop drooling. Most children don't drool after the age of 4 years. However, children with some disabilities drool a lot because their muscles and nerves don’t work properly and it’s hard for them to swallow saliva. A child may also drool if they are making too much saliva or if their teeth don’t fit together in the right way.
Your child’s healthcare provider will examine your child. Your child may have X-ray tests of swallowing.
If your child drools a lot, the problem can be treated in several ways:
Medicine may be used to help your child make less saliva while he or she is learning how to swallow better.
Surgery may be done to change the direction of the ducts that lead from the salivary glands to the mouth, or to remove salivary gland tissue.
Sometimes the surgery may be done with a laser. This treatment allows a quicker recovery than other types of surgery.
Shots of a medicine called Botulinum toxin (Botox) may be given into the glands that make saliva. The shots are given after your child is given an anesthetic to numb the area. This treatment helps reduce drooling and lasts up to 8 months.
Ask your healthcare provider:
Make sure you know when you should bring your child back for a checkup.
