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Tender breasts, feeling of tiredness, and missed periods are some of the common pregnancy symptoms. But did you also know about excessive saliva in pregnancy?
When Does Excessive Saliva Start and End?
Increased pregnancy saliva is also known as ptyalism gravidarum or hypersalivation or sialorrhea. This is a rarely talked about odd pregnancy symptom. It is most common during the early stages of your pregnancy.
Going deeper, you might salivate more during the first trimester and along with the first few symptoms of pregnancy – nausea, and vomiting. At this stage you may even need to spit it out. When you spit out, your saliva’s bitter taste can make you feel more nauseous. As you step into the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy, you might feel like salivating more. Although the condition may not harm the growing baby in your womb, you cannot expect you to stop salivating before you have delivered your baby.
What Causes Pregnancy Hypersalivation?
The real reason behind excessive salivation during pregnancy may not be entirely known, however, some of the possible causes are:
Hormonal Changes
Blame it on the soaring hormones that make you salivate more in the early stages of your pregnancy.
Feeling Nauseous
When you feel nauseous, you tend to eat less. This can build up more saliva in your mouth. That extra saliva may build up in your mouth and there are chances that it will add up to your queasiness. Moreover, ptyalism gravidarum is common in those of you who are suffering from a severe form of morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum.
Exposure to Certain Chemicals
When you expose yourself to irritants, like smoke, fumes, or toxins like mercury and pesticides, it may give rise to excessive saliva during your pregnancy.
Oral Health Issues
Oral cavity problems including tooth decay or dental cavity causes oral infection. This might eventually be an essential reason behind ptyalism gravidarum.
Anxiety During Pregnancy
During your pregnancy, undoubtedly, you might experience both physical and mental discomfort. In this condition, you might produce excess saliva, especially in the latter stage of your pregnancy.
How To Deal With Increased Saliva In Pregnancy?
Well! We know that excessive salivation in pregnancy may seem a little embarrassing, but try not to worry about it. As there are ways that you can reduce the tendency of producing more saliva in pregnancy. The ways are as follows:
- Drink lots of water. Keep a bottle of water handy always to remain hydrated
- Brush your teeth and try to use mouthwash twice every day
- Eat in small amounts, in proper nutritional balance; but frequently
- Try sucking on candy and sugarless chewing gum
- Have biscuits
- Spit out and get rid of the excessive saliva
Apart from this, you should also know that salivating or drooling is a natural response to your physical changes during pregnancy. It can soothe your heartburn, help you with your digestion, and can keep your mouth moist and lubricated. Along with this, to get some more information about pregnancy, postpartum, baby care, and the benefits of cord blood banking, follow our blog page.