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These tips have been contributed by other parents, carers and professionals. We hope they will give you some ideas to try, but if you need further help why not post a question on our forums or talk to our site experts.
Dabbing vs wiping
We have noticed that wiping excess saliva from Emma's face seems to stimulate more dribbling, but dabbing with the tissue doesn't seem to as much.
Bibble plus
bibbleplus.co.uk make adult bibs and dribble bibs. They're available in three sizes and are stylish enough to be worn at all times without embarrassment. Lots of different patterns and designs to go with different outfits.
Blow it!
Playing mouth games, like blowing raspberries or kisses, can help strengthen muscles and reduce drooling. Try blowing bubbles in the bath water with straws or have a competition to see how far you can both blow feathers, cotton wool balls or tissue paper.
Waterproof pillow cases
We buy waterproof pillowcases that we put underneath the children's nice cases - still have to wash them all the time, but it saves their pillows.
Atrovent
Our doctor prescribes Atrovent nebules in my son's nebuliser machines and that stops the dribbling. We used to go through about 6 bibs a day, now we're down to 2 a day.
Pineapple juice
Drinking pineapple juice is reported to reduce the amount of saliva produced, which can be helpful to people who have difficulties in coping with their oral secretions.
Skibz bibs
I recommend this website for larger size dribble bibs- they actually look like trendy clothing accessories and are very absorbent: www.skibz.co.uk
Instant neckerchief
If you care for someone who dribbles, get brightly coloured flannels and sew a button to one corner and a loop of tape (name tapes work well) to the diagonally opposite corner. This makes a trendy neckerchief (folded diagonally) which is more age appropriate than a bib. Velcro is also useful and microfibre towels (try Lidl) can be cut to size.
Rackety's
Rackety's have popper vests, adult bibs and some clothes for wheelchair users. You can order them online. www.disabled-clothing.co.uk
Make your own face wipe
Make your own bib/face wipe by sewing elastic onto a face cloth or – if you want it bigger – use a hand towel. You can pull it forward easily to wipe the person's mouth, without pulling on their neck. You can also attach to a tennis sweat band to put it on their wrist for them to wipe their own mouth.
Bandana-bibs R Us
A selection of fun protectors to suit all ages and sizes. Lots of different patterns and colours. See for yourself at Bandana Bibs
Sophie's Smocks
When my growing granddaughter, who has Angleman's Syndrome, needed larger bibs, I got out my sewing machine. Now I make free smocks for kids with AS using turtlenecks. Volunteers help with sewing & postage. Email me with shirt size & your name & mailing address. I'll send one anywhere as soon as I can. [email protected]
Bright muslins
Muslin squares are really useful, but we try really hard to help our kids to look grown up, so rather than pastel baby style ones, we get plain bright coloured ones from ebay.
Cotton ball races
Strengthening the muscles in the mouth can increase speech production and decrease drooling. Hold races to see who can blow a cotton ball across a table fastest. Do it first just with the mouth, then with a straw.
Glycopyrronium
Charlie drools a lot which was a problem because his clothes were constantly wet around the neck and his mouth and hand got sore. He used to pull off hyoscine patches. About 12 months ago he was prescribed glycopyrronium, not licensed in the UK but is in the US. He takes it 3 times a day and it has really helped reduce the secretions. It’s not a miracle cure, but it might help.
Use a straw
Encourage the use of a straw for drinking to strengthen the muscles of the lips, mouth and throat. An upright head position and straight posture is best as stooping encourages drooling.
Swallow first
When Timmy was younger, I used to gently remind him to swallow before talking by pretending to be be a frog and doing a big gulp. It made him laugh so didn't seem 'naggy'. Now as an adult, its second nature to him to swallow before opening his mouth.
Scented lip balm
I always put a strong smelling lip balm on my daughter. I'm convinced it helps remind her to swallow her saliva.
Nasal breathing
I found Ahmed drooled less at night if he used nasal strips. Breathing through his nose, not his mouth really helps.
Pillow protector
I got a Brolly sheets pillow protector for my daughter. Although designed for incontinence its really great for excessive drooling too.
Encourage swallowing
A SALT advised us to gently massage our daughter's cheeks using a forefinger in a circular motion. This encourages her to swallow.
Scopoderm /Hyocine patches
There are patches available which can be cut up and worn behind the ear to help reduce excessive saliva. Ask your doctor about them. They don't suit every patient but may be worth trying out.
Surgical management
There are various surgical procedures that help reduce drooling including removal of the saliva-producing glands and rerouting of the ducts. Surgery reduces drooling, but requires hospitalisation and may result in visible scarring.
Botox treatment
Botox injections into the saliva glands can be of help. It works by interfering with the signals that the nerves are trying to send to the muscles and therefore drooling reduces.
Techie tip
I have just ordered a Logitech Washable Keyboard K310, as my son destroys keyboards with drool. It's a washable keyboard that is easy to clean and easy to dry because it’s submersible in up to 30 cm (12 inches) of water and has convenient drainage holes at the back. We also use a Griffin Defender case for his iPad and have found this to be the most drool resistant.
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