Drooling while sleeping is something we’ve all experienced at some point, but for some people, it happens regularly and excessively. While it might seem like a harmless inconvenience, frequent drooling can indicate underlying health issues. In this article, we’ll explore why you drool when you sleep and, more importantly, how you can stop it.

Why Do We Drool?

Drooling occurs when excess saliva escapes from the mouth, often due to relaxed facial muscles and swallowing reflexes during sleep. When you’re lying down, gravity allows the saliva to pool in your mouth, and with relaxed muscles, it can leak out, leaving you with a soggy pillow. But if drooling becomes excessive or happens too frequently, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a neurological issue or nasal congestion.

Certain health conditions like strokes or neurological diseases may also cause hypersalivation (excessive drooling), as these conditions can affect muscle control and swallowing reflexes.

How to Stop Drooling in Your Sleep

While occasional drooling isn’t typically cause for concern, if it’s affecting your sleep quality or causing discomfort, there are a few steps you can take to reduce or stop it altogether.

1. Clear Your Sinuses

A blocked nose is a major contributor to drooling. When your nasal passages are clogged, you’re forced to breathe through your mouth, which increases the chance of drooling. Clearing your sinuses can help reduce mouth breathing and prevent excess saliva from escaping.

Some effective methods include:

• Taking a hot shower before bed to open your nasal passages.
• Using essential oils like eucalyptus to clear sinuses and promote better breathing.
• Applying products like Vick’s Vaporub to unblock your nose and improve airflow.

If you suffer from chronic sinus infections or allergies, treating these issues promptly will also help reduce drooling.

2. Adjust Your Sleeping Position

Your sleeping position plays a significant role in whether or not you drool. People who sleep on their sides or stomachs are more likely to drool because gravity works against them, allowing saliva to escape easily. Try sleeping on your back instead. In this position, saliva stays in your mouth and gets swallowed naturally throughout the night.

If you have trouble staying on your back all night, consider using pillows or tucking yourself in to keep your body stable and prevent rolling onto your side.

3. Check for Sleep Apnea

If you snore and drool frequently, you might have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing becomes irregular or stops temporarily during sleep, leading to poor rest and fatigue. Drooling is often a symptom of sleep apnea, along with snoring and frequent awakenings throughout the night.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s essential to consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to more severe health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, and chronic fatigue.

4. Lose Excess Weight

Excess weight can contribute to both drooling and sleep apnea. Studies have shown that being overweight increases the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, which in turn leads to drooling. Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce pressure on your airway, improve breathing, and minimize drooling.

5. Use Special Devices

If drooling persists despite trying other remedies, it might be worth consulting a doctor or dentist about special devices designed to reduce drooling. These devices, such as oral appliances, can help reposition your mouth, making it easier to swallow saliva and prevent it from leaking out during sleep.

These mouthpieces are often used to treat conditions like sleep apnea and can significantly improve your sleep quality by reducing both snoring and drooling.

6. Review Your Medication

Certain medications can cause hypersalivation as a side effect, leading to drooling during sleep. Some antibiotics, for example, are known to increase saliva production. If you suspect your medication is contributing to the issue, consult with your doctor about adjusting your prescription or exploring alternative treatments.

7. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping

Raising your head with a higher pillow can help reduce drooling. When your head is elevated, it makes it more difficult for saliva to pool in your mouth and leak out. Be sure to fluff your pillow before bed, or consider using an adjustable bed or wedge pillow for extra support.

8. Consider Surgery as a Last Resort

In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to stop excessive drooling, especially if it’s caused by neurological issues. Surgical options include removing or altering the salivary glands to reduce saliva production. However, doctors typically recommend surgery only after all non-invasive methods have been tried without success.

Final Thoughts on Drooling

While drooling during sleep can be embarrassing or uncomfortable, it’s often easy to manage with a few lifestyle changes. Whether it’s adjusting your sleep position, clearing your sinuses, or checking for underlying health conditions, there are plenty of ways to reduce or even eliminate drooling. If you’re concerned that your drooling might be a sign of something more serious, always consult a healthcare professional for advice.