Drooling

Abstract

Introduction: Drooling is the overflowing of saliva from the mouth. It is mainly due to neurological disturbance and less frequently to hypersalivation. Drooling can lead to functional and clinical consequences for patients, families, and caregivers. The aim of this review is to emphasize the clinical aspects of the assessing and management of drooling.

Methods: All papers and clinical reviews of drooling in the electronic data bases (Medline, PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library) for the past 40 years in any languages have been evaluated.

Results: The severity of drooling and the effects on the quality of life of the patient and family, help to establish a prognosis and to decide the therapeutic regimen. Treatment options range from conservative therapy to medication, radiation, or surgery, and often a combination is needed.

Conclusions: Chronic drooling remains a problem that can be difficult to manage. Despite the acceptable results obtained with most of the treatments, none is free of undesirable effects.