Why does a 2-year-old baby drool while sleeping?

There are many reasons why babies drool. As the baby grows, his teeth will grow, and at this time he will drool. The oral capacity of a baby is very small, and he needs to constantly add complementary foods or staple foods during the eating process. Drooling will also occur during the chewing and digestion process. Drooling is a relatively normal phenomenon before the child matures.

The regulation of saliva secretion relies on two aspects: one is local stimulation in the oral cavity; the other is the reflex of the nerve center. Newborns produce very little saliva because their central nervous system and salivary glands are not yet fully developed. By March, saliva secretion gradually increases, and some babies have a stronger secretion ability and will drool. When the baby is 6 to 7 months old, the baby's deciduous teeth erupt, which stimulates the trigeminal nerve and increases saliva secretion. In addition, the child's oral cavity has a small capacity and cannot swallow or regulate the saliva in the mouth, so the saliva will flow out naturally after accumulation. Saliva secretion is also controlled by nerves. Young children may drool frequently because their brain development is not yet complete, and their ability to inhibit saliva secretion and swallowing function are slightly poor.

After the age of one, as the brain develops fully, drooling occurs less frequently. When children are 2-3 years old, their swallowing function and central nervous system are further improved and they will stop drooling.

If a child continues to drool when he grows up, it may be pathological drooling rather than physiological. This may be caused by poor neurological or endocrine development, inflammation in the oral cavity, and indigestion, and must be diagnosed and treated. For example: when the oral mucosa is inflamed, it stimulates the secretion of the salivary glands and increases saliva production. Some saliva also contains yellow or light red mucus and has a bad odor. At this time, you should go to the dental department for diagnosis and treatment. When children have a cold or have difficulty breathing, they often breathe through their mouths, which can also cause drooling. Some children may also drool due to incomplete intellectual development of the brain or endocrine system diseases. In this case, they should see a pediatrician.

After the baby is 6 months old, small pieces of rock sugar can be put into the baby's mouth to help him gradually develop the habit of swallowing saliva. Feed properly and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to enhance disease resistance. Change the bad habits of kissing hard and pinching children's cheeks.

For children who drool, special attention should be paid to personal hygiene: the saliva should be wiped off with a clean, soft handkerchief or tissue. Collars and lapels should be changed and washed frequently. To protect the skin of the chin and chest, you can put a clean gauze under it or use a bib. If the skin around the lips, jaw and neck is flushed, eroded or even peeling, you should wash the area frequently with warm water and then apply a small amount of ointment or oil.