Does water leak from your mouth when brushing teeth It could be a warning sign of facial paralysis

Hello, this is Dalimchae Oriental Clinic. # Does water leak from your mouth when brushing teeth? It could be a warning sign of facial paralysis. When you suddenly find water leaking from one side of your mouth while brushing teeth or drinking water, and notice your face looking awkward and skewed in the mirror, you will feel great bewilderment. Even if you spend a few days hoping it will get better, worry may precede as symptoms do not improve and seem to worsen. These symptoms are not just temporary phenomena, but important signs of facial nerve paralysis, namely 'Guanwasa'. Especially nowadays when stress and decreased immunity worsen, accurate understanding and prompt response to unexpected facial paralysis symptoms are necessary. 💡 **[Key Answer]** Top 3 most common causes of facial paralysis such as water leaking from your mouth when brushing teeth: ① Viral infection (especially herpes simplex virus) ② Stress and decreased immunity ③ Exposure to cold wind and overwork. Dalimchae Oriental Clinic focuses on restoring facial muscle function by calming inflammation of the facial nerve and promoting nerve regeneration through **autonomic nerve stabilization**. ## Why do symptoms like skewed face and leaking water appear? The symptom of water leaking from the mouth or a skewed face occurs when a problem arises in the facial nerve and the function of moving facial muscles is paralyzed. In Oriental medicine, this is called 'Guanwasa' or 'Wasapung', a disease where problems occur in the signal system transmitted from the brain to facial muscles, causing disorders in facial movement. The most common cause is 'Bell's palsy', which occurs without a specific reason, and herpes simplex virus infection, overwork, stress, and decreased immunity are known as main causes acting complexly. When inflammation occurs, the facial nerve is compressed and damaged, and facial muscles controlled by the corresponding nerve are paralyzed. As paralysis worsens, wrinkles may not form on one forehead, eyes may not close well causing tears or dryness, and various symptoms such as tongue taste abnormality and behind-the-ear pain may accompany. ## Can missed golden time leave sequelae in facial paralysis? Yes, it is very important to start treatment actively in the early stages of facial paralysis. Usually, within 72 hours, at latest within 1 to 2 weeks after symptom onset is viewed as the 'golden time', and receiving intensive treatment during this period increases the possibility of recovery without sequelae. As treatment is delayed, nerve deepening damages and the probability of leaving sequelae such as facial spasm, facial asymmetry, and synkinesis increases. Songdo facial paralysis clinic recognizes the importance of this golden time and focuses on helping quick recovery through early intensive treatment. ## How does Oriental medicine treatment contribute to facial paralysis recovery? Oriental medicine treatment for facial paralysis focuses on reducing inflammation of damaged facial nerves, promoting regeneration, and restoring overall physical immunity and autonomic balance. Through acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and cupping, facial muscle and nerve functions are strengthened and blood circulation is improved. Especially herbal medicine treatment shows effects of helping nerve regeneration and inhibiting inflammation. In a study published in 2020 in the *Integrative Medicine Research* journal by research team led by Professor Shin Hyun-chul at Pohang Korean Medicine Hospital affiliated with Daegu Haany University, analyzing 856 facial paralysis patients who visited Pohang Korean Medicine Hospital for 15 years from 2004 to 2019, the effect of herbal medicine treatment was analyzed. As a result, patients taking herbal medicine showed faster initial recovery speed and a tendency for recovery signs to appear more quickly within 3 weeks. In addition, combining acupuncture and herbal medicine with Western medicine showed a tendency to increase facial paralysis treatment effects. These results suggest that herbal medicine can have a positive effect on the recovery and regeneration of damaged facial nerves. Also, a systematic review and meta-analysis study by Li et al. published in 2019 in the *Medicine (Baltimore)* journal analyzed 11 randomized controlled trials (total 1258 patients) to review the effect of acupuncture treatment on Bell's palsy. As a result, acupuncture treatment significantly increased treatment management rate (Relative Risk = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.41-2.21, p=0.0008) and total effective rate (Relative Risk = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31, p\<0.00001) compared to drug treatment. Researchers concluded that acupuncture treatment can be an effective treatment for Bell's palsy, though higher-quality studies are needed in the future. These clinical data become the basis for Dalimchae Oriental Clinic actively utilizing oriental medical methods such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine for facial paralysis treatment. At our Songdo clinic, we focus on relieving facial nerve inflammation, promoting blood circulation, and boosting the regenerative power of damaged nerves. ## Treating facial paralysis through autonomic nerve stabilization. Dalimchae Oriental Clinic does not view facial paralysis simply as a facial muscle problem. When the balance of the autonomic nervous system collapses due to stress and overwork, our body's immunity decreases, leading to inflammation and damage of the facial nerve. Dalimchae Oriental Clinic takes **autonomic nerve stabilization** as its core treatment principle. When autonomic balance collapses, the brain cannot rest and is excessively hyperactive, making inflammatory reactions easily occur and nerve recovery power drop. We calm nervous system overheating and create an environment where the brain can rest sufficiently — in Oriental medicine, this is called **Suseunghwagang** (Water up, Fire down) — thereby increasing immunity and strengthening the regenerative power of the facial nerve itself. Through acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine treatments, blood circulation is smoothed and autonomic nerves vulnerable to stress are stabilized to treat the root cause of facial paralysis. This approach can also help those complaining of headaches or dizziness along with facial paralysis. ## Check your facial paralysis symptoms right now! If 3 or more of the following items apply, you should suspect facial paralysis, i.e., Guanwasa, and consult an expert. Especially if 5 or more apply, immediate visit is recommended. * **Facial paralysis symptom checklist** * ( ) Water flows down one side of the mouth when brushing teeth or drinking water. * ( ) Looking in the mirror, one side of the face looks more sagging or asymmetric. * ( ) Even trying to make wrinkles on the forehead, wrinkles do not form on one forehead or are weak. * ( ) It is difficult to close eyes completely or eyeballs turn upward when closing eyes. * ( ) When smiling, the corner of the mouth goes up on only one side or is skewed. * ( ) Taste is not well felt on the front part of the tongue or an abnormal taste occurs. * ( ) Tingly or dull pain is felt behind the ear (mastoid process). * ( ) Eyes are dry or tears flow a lot without reason. * **Judgment criteria:** * **3+ items apply:** Facial paralysis suspected stage. Since it can be related to autonomic imbalance, consider oriental complex treatment. * **5+ items apply:** Immediate medical institution visit for precise diagnosis and treatment is recommended. ## FAQ: Frequently asked questions about facial paralysis. **Q. How long does facial paralysis treatment take?** A. The recovery period of facial paralysis varies depending on the patient's age, health condition, symptom severity, and treatment start timing. Usually it takes weeks to months, and receiving early intensive treatment can shorten recovery speed and minimize sequelae. **Q. Can facial paralysis heal naturally?** A. For Bell's palsy, over 80% may recover naturally, but recovery can take months and some patients may retain sequelae. Missing treatment timing increases sequelae occurrence risk, so active treatment immediately upon symptom discovery is important. **Q. Does stress affect facial paralysis?** A. Yes, stress and overwork cause decreased immunity and autonomic imbalance, becoming main causes of facial paralysis. Proper stress management and sufficient rest are important, and our Songdo facial paralysis clinic provides treatments improving these factors together. **Q. Are facial paralysis and Guanwasa the same?** A. Yes, 'facial paralysis' refers to general symptoms appearing due to facial nerve paralysis, while 'Guanwasa' (口眼喎斜) is a term referring to facial paralysis meaning mouth and eyes are skewed in Oriental medicine. Mainly peripheral facial paralysis like 'Bell's palsy' is called Guanwasa. Facial paralysis is not a problem solved by enduring. You no longer need to ignore body signals sent for a long time. When approached in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring symptoms you are experiencing right now as they are. Dalimchae Oriental Clinic Songdo branch will help you find the cause together and recover a healthy face. A place where life blooms. Herbal medicine is, after all, Dalimchae Oriental Clinic. Check your similar symptoms first through Dalimchae Oriental Clinic website AI consultation! This article is based on questions frequently received in the clinic room, compiled together by Dalimchae medical staff as health information. Medical Supervision | Brain and Autonomic Nervous System Treatment Standard, Dalimchae Oriental Clinic Songdo Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Facial Paralysis Column)