How can I help myself?
Changes in posture and swallowing can be very beneficial. Below are some suggestions you may find useful:
- Try to sit upright
- Keep your head up so that saliva more naturally flows to the back of your throat to make swallowing easier
- Make a conscious effort to swallow saliva often. Using a special badge or button or brooches that bleeps discretely to remind you to swallow may be useful
- Drink more frequently so saliva is ‘washed down’ with fluids
- Avoid sugary foods as these encourage saliva to develop. A reduced milk intake may also help as milk is mucous forming which can cause dribbling
- If your swallowing reflex is good suck on sweets or ice chips to encourage more of it
- Clean your teeth and mouth regularly, particularly after every meal, to guard against infections that occasionally result from stale saliva.
- You may also find these simple exercises helpful in improving lip seal. For each exercise hold your lips in position for a count of four, then relax and try to repeat at least five times:
- Close your lips as tight as you can
- Hold a wide smile
- Hold your lips as if you are going to kiss someone or blow a whistle
- Hold your lips together as if smoking a pipe.
- Try sitting for five minutes with a lolly stick or pen held between your lips and swallow every 30 seconds.
Did you know?
During the Renaissance period, cow saliva was reputed to cure male baldness! Cows are estimated to produce around 200 litres of saliva each day.
