Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 3/17/2025

What Might Cause Excess Saliva on the Right Side of the Mouth?

Excess saliva on one side of your mouth might be linked to a local issue with the salivary glands or differences in how nerves and muscles manage saliva on that side.

answer background

Explanation

There are a few reasons why you could have more saliva pooling on one side of your mouth. One possibility is that a salivary gland—like your parotid or submandibular gland—on that side may be overactive, blocked, or irritated by an infection or inflammation. This can lead to extra saliva production or trouble draining saliva effectively. Another possibility is that the nerve signals or muscle control on one side of your face may be slightly out of balance. Conditions that affect the nerves or muscles, such as those that sometimes occur in neurological disorders, can make it more difficult for you to swallow or keep saliva inside, which might result in drooling on one side. Additionally, certain medications or systemic disorders that influence salivary secretion might play a role. If you notice that the excess saliva comes with pain, swelling, or other unusual symptoms, it is a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider. They can look into your specific situation and help determine if any further evaluation or treatment is needed.

(References)

  • Miranda-Rius J, Brunet-Llobet L, Lahor-Soler E, Farré M. Salivary Secretory Disorders, Inducing Drugs, and Clinical Management. Int J Med Sci. 2015 Sep 22;12(10):811-24. doi: 10.7150/ijms.12912. PMID: 26516310; PMCID: PMC4615242.

  • Lakraj AA, Moghimi N, Jabbari B. Sialorrhea: anatomy, pathophysiology and treatment with emphasis on the role of botulinum toxins. Toxins (Basel). 2013 May 21;5(5):1010-31. doi: 10.3390/toxins5051010. PMID: 23698357; PMCID: PMC3709276.

  • Leung AK, Kao CP. Drooling in children. Paediatr Child Health. 1999 Sep;4(6):406-11. doi: 10.1093/pch/4.6.406. PMID: 20212951; PMCID: PMC2827743.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Drooling from one side of the mouth

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.