By: Thaashida L. Hutton, M.S., CCC-SLP
[Source: Super Duper.com]
Editor’s Note: Thank you to Judith Kuster of MSU for calling our attention to this handout that we might share the link with you here.
The salivary glands in our mouth produce s much as 2-3 pints of saliva every day. We just swallow regularly to prevent any extra saliva from slipping out of our mouths or from seeping into our airway. If saliva seeps into the airway, our natural reaction is to gag and cough.
An overproduction of saliva can lead to problems with swallowing, and/or trouble controlling liquid in the mouth. Drooling happens when saliva falls from the mouth. During infant and toddler “teething” years, drooling is quite normal. As the teeth erupt through the gums, the mouth produces excess saliva to soothe aching gums and heal the gums where the teeth are coming through. This drooling behavior typically ends when children finish teething.
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