Editing Drooling (section)

{{Short description|Unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth}}
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{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Drooling
| synonyms = Salivation, driveling, dribbling, slobbering, sialorrhea
| image = 2008-08-12 White German Shepherd drooling in the sun.jpg
| alt = A white German Shepherd drooling
| caption = A dog drooling
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'''Drooling''', or '''slobbering''', is the flow of [[saliva]] outside the [[mouth]]. Drooling can be caused by [[hypersalivation|excess production of saliva]], inability to retain saliva within the mouth (incontinence of saliva), or problems with swallowing ([[dysphagia]] or [[odynophagia]]).

There are some frequent and harmless cases of drooling – for instance, a numbed mouth from either [[benzocaine]], or when going to the dentist's office.

Isolated drooling in healthy infants and toddlers is normal and may be associated with [[teething]].<ref>[https://www.kutekeiki.com/teething/baby-teething-symptoms-signs/ Common Baby Teething Symptoms & Signs] Kute Keiki. Retrieved on 2019-12-05</ref> It is unlikely to be a sign of disease or complications. Drooling in infants and young children may be exacerbated by [[upper respiratory infection]]s and [[nasal allergies]].

Some people with drooling problems are at increased risk of inhaling saliva, food, or fluids into the [[lungs]], especially if drooling is secondary to a neurological problem. However, if the body's normal reflex mechanisms (such as [[gag reflex|gagging]] and [[cough]]ing) are not impaired, this is not life-threatening.