Hello!

My son is 3, has all his teeth, but often gets a really bad dribble going. I have noticed it happens most when he is excited or concentrating really hard on something. Should I be concerned or is he just forgetting to swallow?


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  • Same here!! I don’t know why?!


  • He’s just getting excited and forgetting to swallow, don’t stress, it’s very messy tho. Ew


  • We had a friend who’s child dribbled they popped posted notes on the doorways at the child’s eye level and they had a picture of red lips on it. When her child saw this he/she remembered to take a deep swallow. Train the brain. Mum would draw lips on the child’s hand when they were at preschool so they could remember to swallow when they took a glimpse of the picture on their hand. The child is o.k. now but did have a underlying medical issue. Worth talking over with a Pediatrician.


  • Definitely talk to your doctor if you are worried, but if it’s just developmental something to help with the wetness factor might be some dribble bibs. I know that sounds like something for babies but Funky Giraffe do some fabulous designs and they can be fun. All cowboys wear neckerchiefs!


  • My son (now 8) did the same thing, the doctor said it is imature jaw muscles, by the time he finished kinder he grew out of it, if you are all concerned, see your GP


  • is he still doing this?


  • it doesn’t sound to concerning, but for peace of mind, maybe see a doctor


  • I really wouldn’t worry about it, he is probably just keeping his mouth open while playing


  • I think he is just foregetting to swallow and I wouldn’t be to concerned


  • If it’s really causing you concern, then I’d go and see the doctor about this. Better to make sure there’s no underlying problems causing it. Likely that it’s a problem that will sort itself out as he gets older. Good luck.


  • Can’t give medical advice but my nephew dribbled quite severely until he was about 4 years old. Then the problem slowly resolved itself. He is an adult now and never had another problem.


  • There is a saliva control clinic in Victoria at the Royal Children’s Hospital that has a behavioural approach to teach children to recognise the feeling of wetness and be able to either swallow more frequently or wipe the saliva from the lips and chin. Maybe some of their brochures could help you out. Good Luck!


  • Try encouraging him to drink with a straw. Or make soft jelly and have a large straw for him to suck it up. This will develop the oral muscles and lip closure.


  • My youngest used to do this but at 4 and a half it is now very rare. I wouldn’t worry.


  • My 2 and half year old dribbles do and he has speech delay. I am sure they are linked.see your GP. Mine told me it could be tonsils but tests were negative. But You will get good tips. Don’t stress too much. Most probably He will grow out of it though.


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