Patient's question:
Urgent! My child is now 1 year and 5 months old. He has been drooling since he was 5 months old and it has gotten worse since he started teething! Please give some advice to the experts on how to treat it!Doctor's answer:
Hello, there are many reasons for drooling in infants and young children. Some begin drooling 2-4 months after birth, and it increases thereafter, becoming particularly noticeable between 5-6 months.At birth, the salivary glands are not yet fully developed. By 3-4 months, they gradually mature, and salivary secretion increases accordingly. Around 5-6 months, when milk teeth begin to erupt, they stimulate the trigeminal nerve, leading to increased salivation. At this stage, infants are not yet accustomed to swallowing saliva, and their mouths are also shallow, causing saliva to constantly flow out. This is a normal physiological phenomenon. As the child grows older, they will be able to swallow excess saliva, and this condition will naturally resolve. Parents need not be anxious or seek treatment.
However, if the child normally produces little saliva but suddenly produces more in a short period, or if they have previously been able to swallow excess saliva but then resume drooling, it is important to observe for signs of fever or irritability. A check of the mouth may reveal very red buccal mucosa, indicating oral inflammation. For mild cases, attention to oral hygiene is necessary, along with local application of Bingbo Powder or Gentamicin Glycerin. If the redness is severe, with even ulcers on the oral mucosa, proper oral care, frequent cleaning, and prompt infection control should be implemented.
Generally, after cleaning the mouth with a 1:5000 chlorhexidine solution or 0.1% acriflavine solution, the ulcers can be treated with 1% gentian violet or 2.5% gentamicin fish liver oil, or with Bingbo Powder. In severe cases, antibiotics may be administered. If numerous white spots elevated above the mucosa and difficult to wipe away are observed on the buccal mucosa, the child may have thrush. Treatment involves cleaning the mouth with a 1%-2% sodium bicarbonate solution before feeding or using...