How to Stop Drooling While Sleeping

Drooling during sleep is a common problem many people face but it can be quite embarrassing and disruptive. If you’ve been looking for how to stop drooling while sleeping, you’re not alone. Recognizing and treating the cause of any sleep issues can also improve your overall health and well-being. And addressing drooling can also prevent skin irritation, dental issues, and even other health concerns. In this article, we will go through the reasons that may cause drooling in your sleep and how to stop drooling at night. Let’s dive in.

What is Drooling While Sleeping?

Drooling while sleeping (sialorrhea) refers to the flow of excess saliva out of the mouth during sleep. “This occurs as the muscles in the face & mouth relax, which can result in an open mouth.” Since this saliva simply builds up, it can spill over, especially if the head is tilted to one side. And while it is most frequently a childhood condition, adults can also be affected. Mouth drooling while sleeping is generally harmless but sometimes can be a sign of an underlying health problem.

Common Causes of Drooling While Sleeping

The reasons behind drooling while sleeping can range from the way one sleeps to an underlying medical condition. Knowing these common causes may provide a valid solution and improve the quality of your sleep. Here are several leading causes of drooling during sleep:

Sleeping Position

Sleep on your stomach or side is one of the most common causes of drooling. In these positions, gravity can make saliva pool in your mouth and leak out. If the head is tilted to the side, the mouth can remain open, allowing saliva to escape more readily.

Nasal Congestion or Allergies

People often breathe through their mouths when nasal passages are blocked by congestion or allergies. This transition to oral breathing can cause drooling in sleep. Allergies may also cause an increase in saliva production, which can then make it worse.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders (like sleep apnea) are a big factor in drooling. Sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, leads to repeated interruptions in breathing or poor airflow during sleep, resulting in frequent opening and closing of the mouth. This abnormal pattern of breathing can lead to saliva pooling in the mouth, making it more likely to spill out.

Medications and Medical Conditions

Some medications, such as those prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease or myasthenia gravis, can cause increased salivation as a side effect. Certain medical conditions can also disrupt natural swallowing and lead to excessive drooling — for example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and certain neurological disorders.

Excessive Saliva Production

Some people produce more saliva than others, a condition called sialorrhea. This may be influenced by factors such as genetics and diet. And when the body overproduces saliva, it may leak out from the mouth, particularly during sleep when swallowing reflexes are reduced.

Health Implications of Drooling While Sleeping

There can be some health problems related to excessive drooling while sleeping, especially if it happens regularly. One of the immediate signs is skin irritation around the mouth and chin area. Constant exposure to saliva can lead to redness, chapping, and even skin infections.

Moreover, drooling in excess can also impact oral health. Saliva can also pool in the mouth, where it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can contribute to tooth rot and gum disease. Also, drooling may interfere with sleep, leading to poor sleep and daytime tiredness. Over time, this may negatively influence overall health, including cognitive functioning and mood.

For those with underlying conditions such as sleep apnea, drooling might expose more serious health risks. Sleep apnea itself is associated with cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Thus, consideration of the cause of drooling is necessary — with implications not just for comfort but overall health.

How to Stop Drooling While Sleeping

For those having a tough time with drooling while they sleep, there are a number of ways you can use to eradicate the issue. Here are some effective ways to prevent drooling while you sleep:

Adjust Your Sleeping Position

Drooling is highly affected by your sleeping position, which you can change. Sleep on your back instead of your stomach or side. It helps to keep your mouth closed and prevents saliva from escaping. You can use pillows to help support yourself to remain in this position all night. Use a body pillow if you're having a hard time staying on your back.

Treat Nasal Congestion and Allergies

Treating nasal congestion and allergies can minimize mouth breathing, which can contribute to drooling. Humidifiers help keep the air moist, and saline nasal sprays can clear nasal passages. Antihistamines provide allergy relief by minimizing symptoms and blocking mouth breathing. Keeping your bedroom cleansed of allergens as much as possible through cleaning can also enhance your breathing.

Improve Sleep Hygiene

Maintain good sleep hygiene to keep drooling to a minimum. Establish a regular sleep-wake schedule and maintain it — including on weekends. Keep your sleep space comfortable, dark, and cool. Wearing a silk sleep mask to block out light will also signal your body it’s time to wind down and prepare for bed. Avoid consuming caffeine or heavy meals before bed, as these can affect the quality of your sleep. Building a calming bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath is also helpful for better sleep.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration may produce thicker saliva, which might increase the chances of drooling. Drink a sufficient amount of water regularly to keep your body well hydrated. But don’t drink a lot of water right before you go to bed, or you’ll be taking frequent bathroom breaks. Drinking enough is important to keep the saliva consistency normal and to avoid drooling.

Use a Mandibular Device

You could try a mandibular advancement device, which keeps your mouth closed and lessens drooling. They’re often used for sleep apnea and help to open up your throat by repositioning your jaw and tongue. This makes for better breathing and less spittle leakage. Talk to a dentist or sleep specialist about the best device for you and how to get it to fit correctly.

Consult a Doctor for Medicines

If drooling continues, see your doctor, who can prescribe drugs to minimize saliva production. Anticholinergic drugs, for example, may reduce the amount of saliva your glands secrete. However, these drugs should be used under medical supervision because of the potential for side effects. Your doctor can help decide if this treatment is right for you and track your progress.

Try Speech Therapy

For some, speech therapy may help to address drooling. A speech therapist can show you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your mouth and swallowing techniques. This will allow you to control saliva flow more easily and lessen nighttime drooling. For best results, use it as a regular workout and you'll find that exponential improvements will happen with time.

Consider Botox Injections

Botox injections can also help in severe cases of drooling. Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles responsible for producing saliva, which can help reduce drooling. This is a medical procedure and should be carried out only by a trained healthcare provider and only after other therapies have been ineffective. Talk to your doctor about this option to decide if it’s right for you.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

It is perfectly normal to drool occasionally when you sleep, but excessive drooling interferes with your sleep. And you should contact a healthcare professional for help. Symptoms that may need medical attention include:

• Congested nose with facial swelling or blurred eyesight

• Nasal discharge after head injury

• A persistent cough lasting longer than 10 days

• A fever lasting for several days

• Hypersomnolence, or extreme tiredness or fatigue during the day

• Gulping or periods of halted breathing while asleep

• Loud snoring that interferes with sleep

• Sensitivity in your teeth to hot and cold

• Tooth or gum pain

If drooling is accompanied by any of these symptoms, a professional evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment is necessary.

FAQs

What home remedy stops drooling?

Some home remedies may help reduce drooling during sleep. Sleeping on your back instead of your side or stomach helps to keep saliva in your mouth. Using a humidifier at night can alleviate nasal congestion and help you to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. 

Staying hydrated throughout the day helps keep saliva consistency in the normal range, thus preventing excessive drooling. Good oral hygiene that avoids allergens or irritants before sleep can help decrease excessive saliva production. If excess drooling does not improve, it might be helpful to see a healthcare provider.

Is drooling while sleeping normal?

Drooling in your sleep can be perfectly normal especially if it only happens occasionally. Most people drool while in deep sleep, especially if they sleep on their side or stomach. But when drooling is excessive, this indicates a problem, such as nasal congestion, sleep apnea, or a neurological condition. If that drooling disrupts your sleep quality or comes with other symptoms, you should reach out to a healthcare professional.

Final Words

Ultimately, drooling in sleep is common among many individuals, and it usually is not concerning. It might sound a little annoying at times, but knowing what causes it, you can handle the situation. Be mindful of your sleeping position and make some changes to help minimize drooling. If it begins affecting your sleep quality or daily life, proactively seeking out changes can help you see progress and a more restful night’s sleep.