What is the proper care for sleeping with the mouth open and experiencing a sticky sensation in the mouth?
Disease description:
Hello, Doctor. I’d like to ask: My baby often sleeps with his/her mouth open, and there’s always sticky saliva in the mouth. How should I care for this?
Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Li Xuemei
When a baby sleeps with their mouth open and has sticky saliva in the mouth, this is likely due to excessive salivary gland secretion. In such cases, it is generally advisable to check for oral ulcers and monitor for symptoms of common cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Most infants presenting with similar symptoms require dietary adjustments—specifically, avoiding all snacks. Additionally, assess whether nasal congestion or impaired nasal breathing is present, as nasal obstruction can also lead to mouth breathing.
