If You Have Too Much Saliva, Here's Why
Have you ever noticed how often you swallow your own spit? Chances are, your saliva is not something you are usually focused on, unless excessive drool has you changing your pillowcase each morning. According to LIVESTRONG, there are some medical reasons you may notice an increase in saliva, acid reflux being one common culprit. Excessive fluid in your mouth from acid reflux, called water brash, occurs when stomach acid mixes with extra saliva produced by the salivary glands (via Medical News Today). One study suggests that those who suffer with GERD may have extra saliva caused by acid in the esophagus.
If you are plagued with seasonal allergies, you may find yourself with a wet mouth. Ear, nose, and throat specialist Dr. Sam Huh says not only do they cause your eyes to water and nose to run, but allergies can also be the reason you have excess saliva (via LIVESTRONG). According to Penn Medicine, the salivary glands can over-produce saliva due to seasonal allergies, which can create excess drooling.
Producing too much saliva occurs more commonly than you think
Also calleds hypersalivation, excess saliva production can be a side effect from certain prescriptions you may be taking, such as the seizure medication klonopin, or some schizophrenia prescriptions (via WebMD). According to Healthline, if you are pregnant you may also experience hypersalivation, which tends to resolve post-childbirth. The American Dental Association states that mouth piercings of the tongue, lip, and cheek might produce extra saliva.
Saliva is your body's natural defense against infections in your mouth, such as cavities or mouth sores, and is necessary for keeping your mouth healthy (via Science Direct). Under-salivating (dry mouth) and over-salivating can both pose oral problems. While many benign circumstances can cause hypersalivation, less often, the cause is a more serious medical condition, such as ALS or Parkinson's disease (per Medical News Today). If you notice a chronic wet mouth, have difficulty swallowing, or just feel something is not right, seeing your doctor is the first step toward a solution.