Question
Do children who often salivate indicate a lack of iron and calcium?
Answer
Hello, saliva leakage can be a normal physiological occurrence during teething. Newborns’ salivary glands gradually mature between 3 to 4 months old, leading to increased saliva production. At this stage, children may not be accustomed to swallowing excessive saliva, and since their oral cavity is shallow, saliva tends to leak out. As they grow older, children learn to swallow excess saliva, and this phenomenon usually resolves on its own without causing parents undue concern. If a child’s saliva leakage suddenly increases, or if they were able to swallow excess saliva but then started leaking saliva again, it is necessary to observe whether the child has a fever or is crying and irritable, and check if there is redness and swelling in the mouth. If redness and swelling of the oral mucosa are found, it may be due to oral inflammation. In mild cases, attention to oral hygiene can be maintained, along with local application of Bingpo San or Gentianum Aceticum Glyceryl. If the redness and swelling are severe, even with ulceration of the oral mucosa, oral care should be performed more frequently, and infection should be controlled in a timely manner. Generally, 1:5000 Chlorhexidine solution or 0.1% acridine yellow can be used to clean the mouth, and ulcers can be treated with 1% gentian violet or 2.5% Gentianum Aceticum Glycerinum. Some tin powder or Bingpo San can also be used. In severe cases, antibiotics may be required. If many white spots are found on the oral mucosa around the cheeks that are difficult to wipe off, it may indicate thrush. Treatment can involve cleaning with 1%-2% sodium bicarbonate solution before breastfeeding.