Patient's question:
Why do people drool? Do I need to go to the hospital for treatment? How long will it take to get better? Please help me!Doctor's answer:
Hello: This issue needs to be explained starting from the characteristics of children's oral cavity. The oral cavity of children changes with growth and development. Newborns have no teeth in their mouths, with short and wide tongues, thick fatty layers in the cheeks, well-developed facial muscles, and thickened, mucous membranes of the jawbones. All of these are conducive to gripping the nipple while feeding and coordinating sucking movements. Due to the absence of erupted teeth and underdeveloped alveolar ridges, the palate and oral floor of infants are relatively shallow.Between 6 to 7 months of age, the secretion of saliva gradually increases in children. However, during this period, their swallowing reflex is not yet sensitive. Without the obstruction of alveolar ridges, the saliva secreted in the mouth cannot be swallowed. As children grow and develop, with the eruption of teeth and the gradual formation of alveolar ridges, the palate slowly rises, the oral floor gradually deepens, and with training in swallowing movements, the condition of excessive saliva flow will improve.