Question
A child continues to drool, and parents are concerned. What could be the possible reasons for this situation?
Answer
Between the ages of 2 to 3, as swallowing function and the central nervous system further develop, drooling usually diminishes naturally. However, if a child continues to drool past this age, it may be pathological drooling rather than physiological. This could be due to underdevelopment of the nervous or endocrine system, or factors such as inflammation in the mouth or indigestion, which require further diagnosis and treatment. For example, when the oral mucosa is inflamed, it stimulates an increase in saliva production, and the drool may contain yellow or pale red mucus with an odor. In such cases, it is advisable to seek assistance from an oral surgeon.