Nobody wants to discuss it because it can be embarrassing: drooling. Medically known as sialorrhea, drooling is extremely common in those with Parkinson’s disease.

Despite this, it often goes unaddressed. But it shouldn’t be.

Why?

Because the effects can significantly impact daily life, leading to social withdrawal, speech changes, difficulty swallowing, and skin irritation around the mouth.

The good news? Living with Parkinson’s does not mean you have to live with this discomfort.

What Causes Sialorrhea?

Drooling is rarely due to producing too much saliva. It typically results from slowed or reduced automatic swallowing muscle activity — a process (unsurprisingly) impaired by Parkinson’s.

Recognizing when it happens is key to finding the right solution. What should you do?

Monitor the timing of drooling. If it happens when medications are wearing off, optimizing traditional dopamine therapy can often directly improve it.

Additionally, if swallowing difficulty is present, incorporating a speech therapist early on can make a major difference in retraining muscle function.

Simple Strategies and Advanced Options

As I touched on above, the good news is that you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Depending on your needs, relief can come from several approaches:

Behavioral Habits. Practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining an upright posture, using intentional swallowing cues, and chewing sugar-free gum or hard candies can help trigger regular swallowing.

Targeted Therapies. While oral medications may carry increased side effects for older adults, specialized movement disorder neurologists can administer botulinum toxin injections. This targeted approach is highly effective — and carries a significantly lower side effect profile.

Ignoring This Symptom, Means Neglecting Your Quality of Life

Drooling may feel embarrassing to talk about, but it’s worth the discomfort to bring it up with your primary care doctor or neurologist.

You have options, and getting control over drooling can dramatically improve your comfort, speech, and overall quality of life.