How is drooling assessed?
Your child’s healthcare professional may ask questions to find out what may be causing or contributing to the excessive saliva. They may assess the following:
General Health
If your child is prone to repeated chest infections, persistent acid reflux and other health problems, these can make drooling worse.
Medications
A review of your child’s medications will help determine if they could be negatively impacting the management of their sialorrhoea.
Dental History
Problems with dental health and crooked, crowded or protruding teeth can contribute to drooling in children.
Eating & Drinking
Difficulties with eating and drinking could be a sign that swallowing problems are causing or contributing to drooling. Also, foods with a high acid content, such as dairy and soft drinks, can contribute to excessive saliva.
Communication Abilities
If your child finds it difficult to control their mouth muscles, this can cause speech issues, as well as excessive saliva.
Measuring drooling severity and frequency
They will measure how often the drooling occurs (the frequency), how much watering of the mouth there is (the severity) and to what extent the salivation is causing discomfort or interfering with your child’s daily activities (the impact).
Drooling Frequency
- Never drools
- Occasionally drools
- Frequently drools
- Constantly drools
Drooling Severity
- Dry (never drools)
- Mild (wet lips only)
- Moderate (wet lips and chin)
- Severe (wet clothing)
- Profuse (wet clothing, hands and objects)
If your child is above the age of four years old and you notice their drooling is causing discomfort or affecting day-to-day life, you may wish to consider discussing it with their healthcare professional.