Question
Is frequent drooling in a child a sign of iron and calcium deficiency?
Answer
Drooling in infants may be associated with teething. At birth, the salivary glands are not fully developed. By 3-4 months, they begin to mature, and saliva production gradually increases. When milk teeth start to emerge at 5-6 months, they stimulate the trigeminal nerve, leading to an increase in saliva production. Since the child is not accustomed to swallowing saliva at this time, and the oral cavity is shallow, saliva keeps flowing out. This is a physiological phenomenon that will disappear as the child grows older and learns to swallow excess saliva. Parents should not be anxious and no treatment is needed.