Babies typically begin drooling around three months, signaling the development of their digestive system, though the extent of drooling can vary greatly. Excessive drooling might result from underdeveloped mouth muscles or increased saliva production, both normal but worth monitoring. If concerned about your baby’s drooling, our office offers guidance to ensure it’s part of typical development. Keep reading to understand more about your drooling baby’s journey.
Understanding Your Drooling Baby and Salivary Glands
We have six salivary glands that produce saliva, and when these glands produce excess saliva, we tend to drool. The saliva glands produce 2-4 pints of saliva every day. Adults have teeth and complete muscle control to keep the saliva from running down our shirts. Your little one will gain control of their swallowing muscles between 18-24 months of age. Click here to book a dental appointment.
Drooling Baby And Developmental Cues
As a parent, you will find yourself looking for developmental cues to make sure your little one is progressing into the next phase. Drooling usually begins at about 2-3 months of age. The first drooling phase lasts until the child reaches 12-15 months of age. Your child is entering the teething stage, which means that drooling will most likely increase. Remember, saliva bathes the teeth and gums, helping wash away excess food and bacteria.
Muscular Development and Baby Development
If your baby is drooling and blowing bubbles, you know that the baby is on track in physical development. In other words, these actions signify that your little one has entered a new stage of growth. If your toddler begins to drool after smelling food, you know that their sense of smell is growing.
Is your child ready to eat solid food?
Look out for when your little one begins to chew on their hands. This is a sign of their motor skill development and that they may be ready for solid food. When your baby chews on their hands, the motor receptors in their mouth signal the brain to begin producing saliva. This is another good sign.
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About Saliva
Saliva is comprised of enzymes that are useful for the baby to digest semi-solid or solid food. These enzymes help neutralize stomach acid, and saliva helps grow the baby’s intestinal lining completely and protects the lining of the esophagus from irritation. Saliva is sticky and slick and plays a role in binding food together to help swallow.
Your Childs First Dental Exam
The Canadian Dental Association recommends scheduling your infant’s first dental appointment at six months of age. At that time, we can answer any questions about drooling and your child’s development. Our goal is to spot any problems right away and help you fix them.
Book A Dental Appointment
As with adults, your child needs to get their teeth cleaned and a dental checkup every six months. Kids should start going to the dentist soon after their first tooth erupts or around their first birthday, whichever happens first. Click here to book a dental appointment.