Symptom 9: Increase in Saliva Production
Saliva, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role in our oral health. It serves multiple functions: from initiating digestion to acting as a protective shield against harmful bacteria. When its production increases, especially in circumstances like mouth ulcers, it represents the body’s innate mechanism to counteract and restore balance.
An ulcer can disrupt the natural environment of the mouth, creating an imbalance. This disruption prompts the salivary glands to produce more saliva, an attempt to soothe the irritated region. It’s the body’s way of trying to keep the area clean and potentially free from further infection. This increased moisture can, in some instances, offer relief from the dry, burning sensation often associated with mouth ulcers.
On the flip side, an abundance of saliva can pose its own set of challenges. It might lead to conditions like drooling, especially during sleep. Some individuals may also find themselves frequently spitting or even experience a slight alteration in speech due to the excess moisture. These secondary effects, while not harmful, can be inconvenient and sometimes embarrassing in social settings.(9)
