It isn't unusual for a patient to drool uncontrollably after a trip to the dentist. Dentists refer to drooling as hypersalivation. In other words, you drool because your salivary glands are being stimulated more than they usually are. Although you may have suffered from this problem, you may not know exactly why it happens. You might be surprised to learn that while drooling is annoying, it is also beneficial to your oral health, especially after dental treatment.
Your Mouth Is Healing Itself
If you undergo a dental procedure that causes inflammation, such as an extraction, your mouth will respond by producing more saliva. Why would it do that? Did you know that the white blood cells in your saliva are more effective at keeping infection at bay than the white cells in other parts of your body? These white cells help wounds in your mouth to heal while keeping bacteria at bay. When you return home after a dental extraction then, you may drool because of your body's natural healing process. Once the extraction sites begin to heal, within a few days, your saliva production should return to normal.
Foreign Objects Feel Like Food
Your mouth knows when you are eating. While you are chewing your food, it is producing saliva to assist you in digesting, breaking down, and swallowing food. In fact, when food or an object like new dentures makes contact with your mouth, your salivary flow increases to five times its normal rate. Most of this saliva is produced by your parotid glands, which are located just below your ears. Therefore, objects such as new crowns, dental bridges, and even veneers may fool your mouth into thinking you are about to eat. However, your mouth will adjust to the changes in a short while. If the drooling persists, speak to your dentist so they can re-examine the site.
The Anaesthetic May Be to Blame
Anaesthetics like Novocain are necessary during dental treatment to numb the area. Unfortunately, a numb mouth is unable to adequately deal with even normal salivary flow. Add in trauma, such as that caused by a dental extraction, and the result is hypersalivation. But the effects of your anaesthetic should wear off within a few hours.
Drooling post-dental treatment is usually a short-lived condition. However, when drooling doesn't stop after a few days, your dentist may need to take another look at your mouth. Sometimes, dental bridges or braces, for example, can be adjusted in order to reduce the salivating.
For many years, I hated the way my teeth looked. They always looked discoloured so I would do everything I could to hide my smile. On family photos, my mom would always complain that I never gave a grin like my brothers and sisters. When I graduated college, I decided I needed to take action. I contacted my local dental surgery and asked them about tooth whitening treatments. The dentist was great and gave me all of the info I needed. After the treatment, my smile was like a million dollars. I decided to start this blog to educate others about the benefits of teeth whitening and other dental treatments.