If your mouth is making too much saliva, it can be really annoying and might make you think something is wrong. When your mouth makes too much saliva, it could be something called hypersalivation. Even though it sounds like a big word, it’s usually not something serious. There are many reasons why you might have extra saliva. Let’s look at some of these reasons.

Why You Might Have Too Much Saliva

There are a lot of things that can make your mouth produce too much saliva. It could be because of the foods you eat or certain health problems. Sometimes it happens for just a little while, and sometimes it lasts longer. Knowing why it’s happening can help you stop it.

Spicy or Sour Foods Can Cause More Saliva

Eating spicy or sour foods can make your mouth produce more saliva. Foods like hot peppers, lemons, or vinegar can make your mouth feel like it needs more saliva. This happens because your body is trying to wash away the spicy or sour taste. The saliva helps protect your mouth. Sometimes, even just smelling these foods can make your mouth produce more saliva.

Acid Reflux Can Cause Extra Saliva

Acid reflux happens when the acid in your stomach comes back up into your throat (Mayo Clinic). This can make your body produce more saliva to help wash the acid away. If you have a sour taste in your mouth or heartburn along with extra saliva, acid reflux could be the reason. Eating big meals or certain foods like fatty or spicy dishes can make this happen.

Pregnancy Can Cause More Saliva

People who are pregnant might notice they have more saliva, especially in the early months. This happens because of hormonal changes and sometimes goes along with feeling sick, called morning sickness. Even though it’s not dangerous, it can be annoying. Drinking lots of water or sucking on candy might help.

Some Medications Can Cause Too Much Saliva

Certain medications can cause hypersalivation. Some drugs for nausea, anxiety, or seizures can make your mouth produce more saliva (WebMD). If you’ve started a new medication and noticed extra saliva, talk to your doctor. Some medicines, like clozapine, are known to cause more saliva. Sometimes, changing the amount you take or switching to a different medicine can help.

Sometimes, having too much saliva can be caused by health problems. Here are some examples:

Nerve Problems Can Cause Extra Saliva

Conditions like Parkinson’s disease or cerebral palsy can cause too much saliva or make it hard to swallow (MedicalNewsToday). This can make it seem like you have extra saliva because your body can’t swallow properly. Nerve problems can make it hard to control muscles, even the ones that help you swallow. For people with these conditions, doctors might suggest medicine or other treatments to help manage the saliva.

Mouth Infections or Dental Problems

Infections in your mouth, like gum disease, cavities, or an abscess, can cause more saliva. Your body makes extra saliva to help fight the infection and soothe any pain. Not taking care of your teeth can make these problems more likely, so going to the dentist and keeping your mouth clean can help.

Allergies Can Cause More Saliva

If you have an allergic reaction, your mouth might produce more saliva. This is how your body tries to protect itself from something harmful. For example, if you are allergic to certain foods, you might get extra saliva. The saliva helps protect your mouth and throat.

Breathing Through Your Mouth

If you breathe through your mouth a lot, especially when you sleep, it can cause extra saliva. Your body makes saliva all the time, and if you don’t swallow enough, it can build up. Mouth breathing can happen because your nose is stuffed or because of other breathing problems. Fixing these problems can help reduce extra saliva.

Stress or Anxiety

Feeling nervous or stressed can also cause too much saliva. When you’re scared or worried, your body might produce more saliva as part of the fight-or-flight response. This can happen when you have to do something scary, like talking in front of people. Relaxing or talking to someone about your stress can help.

Should You Worry About Extra Saliva?

Most of the time, too much saliva isn’t something to worry about. However, if you have other problems like trouble swallowing, changes in how you talk, or drooling that doesn’t stop, you should see a doctor. These problems could mean something more serious is happening. Drooling a lot can also cause your skin to get irritated, so finding out why it’s happening can help.

What Can You Do to Stop Extra Saliva?

If you have too much saliva, here are some things you can try to help:

Change What You Eat

Avoid spicy, sour, or acidic foods because they can make you produce more saliva. Eat foods that are more plain if you notice certain foods make it worse. Foods like bananas, rice, and toast are easier on your mouth and less likely to cause too much saliva. You can try different foods to see which ones work best for you.

Drink Water

Drinking water can help wash away extra saliva and keep your mouth comfortable. Sipping water also helps you swallow more, which stops saliva from building up. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help because it makes you swallow more often, so saliva doesn’t pool in your mouth.

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medicine

If you think your medicine might be causing the problem, talk to your doctor. They might change how much you take or prescribe a different medicine that doesn’t cause extra saliva. Sometimes, medicines that help dry out your mouth, like glycopyrrolate, can help, especially if the extra saliva makes your daily life harder.

Use Mouthwash

Some mouthwashes with alcohol can help dry out your mouth for a little while and reduce extra saliva. But be careful not to use too much because it can make your mouth too dry or hurt your mouth. Some other medicines can also help reduce saliva, but you need to ask a doctor about them.

The Bottom Line: Too Much Saliva Is Usually Not a Big Problem

Having too much saliva can be annoying, but it’s usually not a big problem. In many cases, the reason for extra saliva is not serious and can be managed by changing some habits. Keeping your mouth clean, avoiding certain foods, and managing stress can all help reduce extra saliva. But if you’re not sure or if it’s bothering you a lot, it’s important to see a doctor. They can help you figure out why it’s happening and find a way to fix it. Sometimes, treating things like acid reflux or allergies can make a significant distinction and help you feel better.