Hypersalivation: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments, And More

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HealthlineSubscribeSkin CareWhat to Know About Hypersalivation and Sialorrhea

Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Sheila Buff and Amy McLean — Updated on May 27, 2025

Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook

Hypersalivation, or increased salivation, can occur with some health conditions such as dental problems, infection, or gastroesophageal reflux. Treatment may involve home remedies and medical treatments.

In hypersalivation, the salivary glands produce more saliva than usual. If the extra saliva begins to accumulate, it may begin to drip out of the mouth.

In older children and adults, drooling may be a sign of an underlying condition.

Sialorrhea refers to the loss of saliva from the mouth, or drooling, that can occur with hypersalivation. Hypersalivation and sialorrhea may be temporary or chronic, depending on the cause.

Keep reading to learn more about potential causes, symptom management, and more.

What causes hypersalivation?

Temporary hypersalivation and sialorrhea can be due to:

dental problems
infection
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
certain medications
bites from venomous snakes or funnel web spiders
scorpion stings
mushroom toxicity

In these cases, hypersalivation typically goes away after treating the underlying condition.

Chronic hypersalivation is usually due to a condition that affects the brain. Examples include:

Parkinson’s disease
cerebral palsy
congenital abnormalities of brain development
traumatic brain injury
stroke
motor neuron disease (MND)
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Huntington’s disease

How do doctors diagnose hypersalivation and the cause?

Your doctor may be able to diagnose hypersalivation after discussing your symptoms. Testing may be required to determine the underlying cause.

After going over your medical history, your doctor may examine the inside of your mouth to look for other symptoms that could occur with different conditions. These can include:

swelling
bleeding
inflammation

If a doctor has already diagnosed a chronic condition as the cause of sialorrhea, they may use a scale system to assess how severe the sialorrhea is. This can help your doctor determine which treatment options may be right for you.

What medical treatments can help hypersalivation?

Medical treatments for hypersalivation may depend on the underlying cause. Directly treating the cause of hypersalivation may help to reduce it.

Other treatments can directly target hypersalivation.

Medications

Certain medications can help decrease saliva production.

Glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa), an anticholinergic agent, is a possible option. This medication blocks nerve impulses to the salivary glands so that they produce less saliva.

Scopolamine (Hyoscine) is another option. This is a skin patch that you wear behind the ear. It works by blocking nerve impulses to the salivary glands.

If a doctor recommends these medications, they can provide more information about what the treatment involves and the possible side effects.

»Learn more:What Are the Side Effects of the Scopolamine Patch?

Injections

Your doctor may recommend botulinum toxin (Botox) injections if your hypersalivation is constant.

Your doctor will inject the drug into one or more of the major salivary glands. The toxin paralyzes the nerves and muscles in the area, preventing the glands from producing saliva.

This effect will wear off after 3 to 6 months, so you will likely need to return for repeat injections.

»Learn more:Best Practices for Botox Aftercare

Surgery

In severe cases, doctors may recommend surgery on the major salivary glands. Your doctor may recommend removing the glands completely or relocating them so that the saliva releases in the back of the mouth where you can easily swallow it.

Radiation therapy

If surgery isn’t an option, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy on the major salivary glands. The radiation causes dry mouth, relieving the hypersalivation.

Can home remedies help with hypersalivation?

Depending on the cause and severity, some home remedies may help manage hypersalivation. These include:

frequently drinking small sips of water or other fluids throughout the day
maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth and tongue regularly
dabbing the mouth rather than rubbing at it
observing your posture to see if certain positions increase drooling

»Learn more:Ways to Stop Drooling

The bottom line

Hypersalivation refers to increased saliva production, and sialorrhea means drooling from the mouth. There are numerous possible causes, such as dental problems, infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and some medications.

Conditions affecting the brain can also cause hypersalivation. Examples include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury, motor neuron disease (MND), cerebral palsy, and stroke.

Treatment can focus on addressing the underlying cause. Doctors may also prescribe medications such as scopolamine (Hyoscine) and glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa) to block nerve impulses to the salary glands.

Botox injections, surgery, and radiation therapy may help if other medications are not effective. Home remedies such as adjusting posture, dabbing at the mouth, and maintaining good oral hygiene can also help.

Speak with a doctor if you are concerned about hypersalivation or sialorrhea. The doctor can help determine the underlying cause and advise on a suitable treatment plan.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Binstead JT, et al. (2024). Funnel-web spider toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535394/
Clinical review report: Glycopyrrolate oral solution (Cuvposa): (Medexus pharmaceuticals, Inc.): Indication: Chronic severe drooling, neurologic (Pediatric) [internet]. (2020).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565962/
Integrated patient pathway for chronic sialorrhea in adults (guidelines). (2024).https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/tam-treatments-and-medicines-nhs-highland/adult-therapeutic-guidelines/stroke-single-point-of-contact-07974123503-9-4pm/integrated-patient-pathway-for-chronic-sialorrhea-in-adults-guidelines/
Lawrence R, et al. (2018). Surgical management of the drooling child.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5884899/
Management of hypersalivation and sialorrhoea in adult patients. (2022).https://gmmmg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MFT-Hypersalivation-pathway-update_FINAL-for-web.pdf
Managing excess saliva and drooling. (2024).https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/aslt/resources/swallowing/managing-excess-saliva-and-drooling/
Nascimento D, et al. (2021). Drooling rating scales in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353802021003412
Salivary gland injections with botulinum toxin. (2019).https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/procedures-and-treatments/salivary-gland-injections-botulinum-toxin/
Shamoon Z, et al. (2023). Scorpion toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430928/
Sialorrhea (excessive drooling). (n.d.).https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/sialorrhea
Tran HH, et al. (2023). Mushroom toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537111/
Venomous snakes at work. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/outdoor-workers/about/venomous-snakes.html?

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Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Sheila Buff and Amy McLean — Updated on May 27, 2025

Hypersalivation: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments, And More

What causes hypersalivation?

How do doctors diagnose hypersalivation and the cause?

What medical treatments can help hypersalivation?

Medications

Injections

Surgery

Radiation therapy

Can home remedies help with hypersalivation?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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