Drooling of saliva: a review of the etiology and management options.
Drooling of saliva appears to be the consequence of a dysfunction in the coordination of the swallowing mechanism, resulting in excess pooling of saliva in the anterior portion of the oral cavity and the unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth. Drooling can produce significant negative effects on physical health and quality of life, especially in patients with chronic neurological disabilities. Various approaches to manage this condition have been described in the literature, including oral motor therapy, behavior modification via biofeedback, orofacial regulation therapy, drug therapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatments. Minimally invasive modalities, such as injection of botulinum toxin, photocoagulation, and acupuncture, have also been reported. This article provides a comprehensive and thorough overview of drooling, with an emphasis on understanding its etiologies and modalities of treatment.
Meningaud
Jean-Paul
JP
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Teaching Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France. meningaud@noos.fr
Pitak-Arnnop
Poramate
P
Chikhani
Luc
L
Bertrand
Jacques-Charles
JC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002814:Chorda Tympani Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020247:Myofunctional Therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011878:Radiotherapy; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A