Differential Diagnosis for Drooling

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Teething or dental issues: This is often the most common cause of drooling in infants and young children, as the eruption of teeth can cause irritation and excessive saliva production.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, intellectual disability): Individuals with these conditions may have impaired oral motor control, leading to difficulty swallowing saliva and resulting in drooling.
  • Medication side effects (e.g., anticholinesterases, benzodiazepines): Certain medications can increase saliva production or impair swallowing, causing drooling.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid reflux can stimulate saliva production and cause drooling.
  • Allergies or sinus infections: Postnasal drip can stimulate saliva production, leading to drooling.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses
  • Rabies: Although rare, rabies is a deadly disease that can cause excessive salivation and drooling.
  • Botulism: This condition can cause impaired swallowing and drooling due to muscle weakness.
  • Congenital or acquired conditions affecting the oral cavity (e.g., oral cysts, tumors): These conditions can cause mechanical obstruction or impairment of swallowing, leading to drooling.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A progressive neurological disease that can cause impaired swallowing and drooling.
  • Parkinson's disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that can cause impaired oral motor control and drooling.
  • Hypothyroidism: A condition that can cause impaired swallowing and drooling due to muscle weakness.
  • Sjögren's syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause dry mouth, but in some cases, can also cause excessive saliva production and drooling.