When do toddlers stop dribbling and can you encourage them/how?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

DS is 27 months now and still often dribbles terribly, he just walks round with his mouth open and drool running out (nice!). It drives me nuts, especially when he does it while eating and gets milky or, even worse, occasionally chocolatey dribble all down his clothes!
At what age do they normally learn to stop this, and can you help them along by encouraging them to close their mouth or anything, or does that just make it worse? Has anyone else managed to stop the drool or at least reduce it? Thanks!

I do believe it is part of teething and you just have to deal with it until all of their teeth come in.

Are his speech and hearing all right?

If he's continuously drooling at this age, you ought to get it checked out. It can be an indication that his nose is blocked and he can't swallow his saliva easily. Tho if that were the case he might also have problems eating certain foods and possibly sleeping. It can also be an indication that there's a problem with the muscles of his mouth, and SALT would sort that out.

It's mostly a developmental issue. You could try asking him to "drink up the water in his mouth", to encourage him to swallow.

Bandana bibs could help with the washing!

My dd drooled (not dribbled, drooled) until 18m, then suddenly stopped as if a switch had been flicked. She was still a bit dribbly with food, but essentially it just stopped. Until then we went through bib after bib. I used to have 3 non-foood bandanas a day, one on, one drying, one ready. Each lasted about 45mins, and by evening they were crusty. Patterns disguise the mankiness.

Mmm the drinking up thing might work, I will try that. I don't think it is to do with any particular problem, as his speech is pretty good, hearing great and also it isn't continuous dribbling, just very regular! I doubt it is teeth either as he has had pretty much all of them for ages, unless it is his back ones coming in perhaps, might try to check if he ever lets me look...

MyNameisInigoMontoya - firstly love your name,and the film it comes from!!!!! My favorite! As for the dribbling, I would check with GP as a referral to ENT might be needed, incase it is excessing mouth breathing due to a nose problem. Teething is the most likely cause, but it would be a good idea to check with gp. Does he snore at night, or mouth breathe? These are things that the gp might ask.

I would be wary of highlighting it to him at this stage, as it could become an issue. He is probrably unaware of what he is doing and pointing it out might not be helpful?