Is it normal for a four-month-old baby to drool a lot?

The baby's body will gradually grow and develop after birth, and the baby's oral cavity is also slowly developing. It is normal for a four-month-old baby to drool. A four-month-old baby may drool a lot because the growing teeth in the mouth will stimulate the oral nerves and cause drooling. This is generally a normal phenomenon. If the baby drools a lot, a detailed examination can be done.

Is it normal for a four-month-old baby to drool a lot?

As babies grow older, their salivary glands develop and saliva secretion increases. During teething, stimulation of the gingival nerves can also lead to increased saliva secretion. However, the baby's swallowing function is not yet coordinated, so drooling will occur. It will gradually get better. Pay attention to oral care and gently wipe the baby's skin around the mouth with a clean wet towel to avoid skin infection.

Reasons why babies drool

Drooling is a common symptom in babies. In addition to some well-known factors, there are some other reasons.

1. Oral problems

(1) Imperfect oral function. Imperfect body functions are the prominent feature of babies, and the leakage of saliva in children is attributed to imperfect oral functions. At this time, the child's mouth is small and shallow, causing saliva to flow out easily. The nervous system that regulates swallowing is not perfect, and it is difficult for children to reduce the amount of saliva by swallowing.

(2) Food residues. Some children wake up with a wet, yellowish area on their pillow that tastes salty. This is most likely caused by oral problems. Most babies do not have the habit of brushing their teeth, so there is a lot of food residue in their mouths. Many children will suffer from tooth decay, gingivitis, etc., and the amount of saliva in their mouths will also increase.

(3) Bacterial growth. The temperature of the mouth can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. Once the mouth is invaded by bacteria, it will cause pain, which will stimulate the salivary glands.

2. External stimulation

(1) Solid food. When your child starts eating solid food, your baby's mouth is no longer as dry as before, and the amount of saliva will increase. The salivary glands will secrete a large amount of saliva under the stimulation of complementary food.

(2) Bad habits. If babies often put their fingers or small objects in their mouths, it will also stimulate the salivary glands.

drug. Medications are also a major cause of increased drooling. For example, some babies will drool unconsciously when taking epilepsy medications.

3. Dental problems

(1) Long teeth. When a child starts teething, their mouth becomes flooded with saliva. At this time, the deciduous teeth break through the restrictions of the gums and grow outward, and the gums will feel painful. Since the nerves in the oral cavity are a whole, the nerves in the salivary glands will also react, causing their secretion.