Question
Is it normal for children to drool? Do they need to go to the hospital for treatment? How long will it take to see improvement after treatment?
Answer
Drooling in children can be categorized into physiological and pathological types. Most of the time, drooling in children is physiological. Newborns have underdeveloped salivary glands at birth, resulting in less saliva production. However, as they reach four or five months old, the introduction of solid food and the enhancement of chewing ability, along with the eruption of milk teeth, stimulate the gums, all of which promote increased saliva secretion. Since a child’s swallowing ability is not yet mature, they cannot swallow excess saliva in time, so the extra saliva flows out of the mouth. In this case, parents should not be overly concerned as this is a normal part of a child’s growth process. However, if drooling is accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, delayed language development, or other health issues, medical assistance should be considered to rule out pathological causes. The duration of treatment depends on the specific cause and treatment method, so it is recommended to seek guidance from a professional doctor.