Baby Drooling in Sleep – Should I Be Worried?

If you’ve noticed your baby is drooling in their sleep, you may concerned and unsure of whether this is normal. The answer to this question is that drooling is normal at certain times in your child’s development. However, at other times, it is not typical and may require professional intervention.

When Drooling is Normal

Drooling is atypical for children between one to three months of age. When your child turns six months, you may find they drool as they babble or use their hands to play or reach for objects. They may also drool when they are teething or eating certain foods.

When your child is nine to fifteen months, drooling will not usually arise during gross motor activities like rolling or crawling. If it does occur, it is usually in response to teething. Once your child turns twenty four months, drooling should be minimal. Midlothian, VA dentist Dr. Brent Rusnak always urges parents to ask a medical professional when they have concerns about the teething process.

Why Babies Drool

Saliva has a variety of important functions. It assists in binding food together during eating and allows for safe swallowing. It also helps with the digestion of food and keep mouths clean. For most children, the loss of saliva or drooling stops at age four. For other children, however, saliva loss may persist beyond age four.

If you are concerned about your baby drooling, you should visit a doctor or dentist. A doctor or dentist may recommend professional assistance from a speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, or feeding therapist. These professionals can help you figure out the cause of your child’s abnormal drooling and provide various interventions.

Contact Wells Family Dental Group

To determine whether your child’s drooling is normal, schedule an appointment at our office today by calling 919.266.5332. We’ll let you know whether their oral health is in good shape and make intervention recommendations if necessary.