Excess Saliva?

Question

I have read that a symptom of pregnancy is excess saliva. Im possibly 7 weeks and started having it last night, its gross! How far into your pregnancy did those who have this problem get it?

Answer 1

The second I found out - looked at the test and started to salivate!!

(so for me that was about 6 weeks)

I seem to be salivating more than usual since I got pregnant. Is this normal?
It's not uncommon to feel as though you're salivating more than usual once you're pregnant, especially if you're nauseated. A few women may salivate like crazy and have to spit constantly into a tissue, washcloth, or cup to deal with the excessive amounts of drool they're producing. This extreme version of the problem is called ptyalism or sialorrhea and is more common among women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness.

Experts don't know exactly what causes excessive salivation in early pregnancy, but hormonal changes may be a culprit. Nausea might also make some women try to swallow less, which causes saliva to build up in the mouth. Under normal circumstances, your salivary glands produce about a quart of saliva a day, but because swallowing happens continually and unconsciously, you don't generally notice the saliva. So if you suddenly seem to have a lot more saliva in your mouth, it may be because you're actually producing more saliva, or because you're swallowing less, or a combination of the two.

Increased salivation can also be related to heartburn, which is common during pregnancy. It works like this: Because the contents of your stomach are acidic, they irritate your esophagus when they back up on you, and cause the burning sensation so familiar to heartburn sufferers. The acid sensors in your esophagus then trigger your salivary glands to produce saliva that has an increased concentration of bicarbonate, which is alkaline. Each time you swallow, your saliva bathes the walls of your esophagus and helps neutralize the gastric acid. This may also explain why women who are vomiting tend to salivate more.

It may be small comfort at this point, but saliva does perform a lot of other important functions, including lubricating your mouth and producing enzymes that aid in digestion. It also contains proteins whose antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties help protect your teeth and mouth.

What can I do about it?
Other than trying to relieve your nausea, vomiting, or heartburn the best you can, there may not be much else you can do about your excess saliva, though some women report that the following measures are helpful:

• Brush your teeth and use mouthwash several times a day.

• Eat frequent small meals.

• Drink more water. Keep a water bottle handy and take frequent small sips.

• Suck on a hard candy or chew sugarless gum. This won't make you produce less saliva, but it will make it easier for you to swallow the saliva you do produce. Avoid sour candies and gum, as they can stimulate saliva production.

In most cases, you should just swallow any excess saliva you create. However, if you have a lot of saliva and swallowing it makes you feel more nauseated, you'll probably want to spit it into a tissue, washcloth, or cup. If you need to do this, be sure to drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated. For many women, this harmless but annoying — and, in extreme cases, downright distressing — problem often lessens or disappears as their nausea subsides around the end of the first trimester. However, just like nausea, it can last throughout pregnancy for a small number of women.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had this with both of my pregnancies, but I don't remember how far into the pregnancies it started. One thing to note: Take *especially good* care of your teeth while you're pregnant. The excess saliva can wreak havoc on your teeth, causing plaque, tartar and, worst of all, cavities that you never had before!

Answer 4

I started that at around 3 months it was horrible. I sucked on Tums and ate fruit. My doctor said it has to do with nausea so eat whatever you can that will get the taste that goes along with it to dissapear and that helps. I am 37 weeks and I still get it if Im over tired or feel sick.

Answer 5

during pregnancy there will be sudden increase in harmone oxytocin,which ur body till now has not underwent through.hence there will be no proper digestion and excess of saliva will be produced.it might continue until ur brain acccepts it and uur body will also accept it.for 1 or 2 months.

Answer 6

I had same issue ... it is very annoying & gross. But there is hope - mine stopped at about 13 weeks. Pregnancy can be quite gross - but trust me, the reward is great!

Answer 7

I know its gross and i got it at about 5wks and it lasted until my 6th month and i could have made a pond w/ mine but try not thinking about it and eat foods that dont make your mouth water. thats what i do now and its slowed up alot. it can be very agitating

Answer 8

I've never heard of that and I have a 4 year old boy and i'm almost 40 weeks pregnant with my little girl

Answer 9

lets see i was about 8 weeks when that kinda thing started happening and now it stopped at only 19 weeks. but dont worry it will be gross but its not you personaly but just carry tissuses with you

Answer 10

Yep- I am 5+2 and am already doing it! It makes me feel quite sick, but I find sucking on a mint helps (tho obviously not at night!!)