Why Do I Drool In My Sleep? Tips to Stop Nighttime Drooling

Waking up to find a wet spot on your pillow can be embarrassing and puzzling. Wondering why you drool in your sleep? You’re not alone. Sleep drooling, medically known as sialorrhea, is more common than you might think.

In this article, we’ll uncover the science behind drooling, explore common causes, and share practical tips and remedies to help you reduce nighttime drooling for better sleep quality.

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The Science of Sleep Drooling

Drooling during sleep, medically known as sialorrhea, is a fascinating phenomenon that involves several physiological processes. Let’s break down the key factors contributing to this common occurrence:

Muscle Relaxation: The Root Cause

During sleep, particularly in the deeper stages and REM sleep, our facial muscles relax completely. This relaxation can cause the mouth to fall open, creating a perfect escape route for saliva.

The muscles responsible for swallowing and keeping your mouth closed become less active, allowing saliva to pool and eventually spill out.

This muscle relaxation is a normal part of the sleep cycle. It’s essential for achieving restful sleep and allowing your body to enter restorative stages.

However, for some people, this relaxation can lead to unintended consequences like drooling.

Sleep Position: Gravity’s Role

Your sleep position plays a crucial role in drooling. Side and stomach sleepers are more prone to drooling because gravity works against them, pulling saliva towards the pillow.

When you sleep on your side, saliva can easily flow out of the corner of your mouth. Switching to a supportive pillow, like the Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow, can help promote a back-sleeping position and reduce drooling.

Stomach sleepers face a similar issue, with their face pressed against the pillow, creating an easy path for saliva to escape. Using a Contoured Memory Foam Pillow can provide better neck support and help encourage back sleeping, which may reduce drooling.

Back sleepers might drool less, as gravity helps keep saliva in the mouth or directs it towards the throat. However, this position comes with its own set of potential issues, like snoring and sleep apnea, which can indirectly contribute to drooling by causing mouth breathing.

If you struggle with snoring, consider using Breathe Right Nasal Strips or a Levoit Humidifier to reduce nasal congestion and encourage nose breathing during sleep.

Saliva Production: Not Always the Culprit

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, excessive saliva production isn’t usually the primary cause of sleep drooling. Most people actually produce less saliva during sleep compared to when they’re awake.

The salivary glands slow down their production at night as part of the body’s natural sleep processes.

However, certain conditions or medications can increase saliva production, exacerbating the issue. For instance, acid reflux can stimulate the salivary glands as a protective mechanism, leading to increased saliva production even during sleep.

If acid reflux is a concern, using a wedge pillow can help keep your upper body elevated and reduce reflux symptoms.

Common Causes of Sleep Drooling and Nighttime Drooling Remedies

Understanding the underlying causes of sleep drooling can help you address the issue more effectively. Here are some of the most common reasons why you might be waking up with a damp pillow:

Address Nasal Congestion to Prevent Mouth Breathing and Drooling

Nasal congestion is one of the leading causes of sleep drooling and nighttime drooling. Blocked nasal passages force you to breathe through your mouth, increasing the risk of saliva escaping during sleep.

Here are some practical remedies to reduce nasal congestion and prevent nighttime drooling.

1. Use Nasal Strips for Instant Relief

Nasal strips are an easy, non-invasive way to open your nasal passages and improve airflow. They work by gently lifting the sides of your nose to reduce congestion, helping you breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

Recommended Product:

Breathe Right Nasal Strips: These strips provide immediate relief from nasal congestion, helping you avoid mouth breathing during sleep. They’re especially useful for people with allergies or mild snoring.

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2. Try a Neti Pot or Saline Spray to Clear Your Nasal Passages

A neti pot or saline nasal spray can help flush out mucus and allergens from your nasal passages, reducing blockages and making it easier to breathe through your nose at night.

Recommended Product:

Navage Nasal Care Starter Kit: This innovative nasal irrigation system provides a more thorough clean than traditional neti pots, making it a great option for chronic congestion and to help stop drooling at night.

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3. Use a Humidifier to Add Moisture to the Air

Dry air can irritate your nasal passages, making congestion worse. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which helps reduce dryness and promotes better nasal airflow.

Recommended Product:

AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier: This whisper-quiet humidifier is perfect for bedrooms. It adds just the right amount of moisture to keep your airways clear and comfortable throughout the night.

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Chronic nasal congestion can be caused by various factors:

1. Allergies: Seasonal or perennial allergies can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, leading to congestion. Using an air purifier in your bedroom can help reduce allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander.
   
2. Sinus infections: Bacterial or viral infections can cause swelling and mucus buildup in the sinuses. Try using a steam inhaler to help relieve sinus pressure and clear nasal passages.
   
3. Deviated septum: A structural issue in the nose can make breathing through one or both nostrils difficult. In more severe cases, consulting with a healthcare provider may be necessary.
   
4. Environmental irritants: Dust, pollution, or strong odors can irritate the nasal passages and cause congestion. Using hypoallergenic bedding can reduce exposure to common allergens in your sleep environment.

Addressing the root cause of nasal congestion can significantly reduce mouth breathing and, so, sleep drooling.

Sleep Disorders: Hidden Culprits

Sleep disorders can significantly contribute to drooling by affecting your breathing patterns or muscle control during sleep. Here are some of the most common culprits and how to address them.

1. Sleep Apnea: A Major Cause of Mouth Breathing and Drooling

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses often result in mouth breathing, which can lead to increased drooling. Additionally, frequent awakenings caused by sleep apnea can disrupt the natural swallowing reflex, allowing saliva to pool in the mouth.

Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Daytime fatigue

What Can Help:
Consider using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Machine if recommended by a healthcare provider. For milder cases or if snoring is your primary concern, try an Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece to keep airways open.

2. Snoring: How It Leads to Drooling

Snoring is often caused by partial airway obstruction, leading to mouth breathing and drooling. While snoring isn’t always linked to sleep apnea, it can still cause disrupted sleep and other issues.

What Can Help:
If you find yourself snoring frequently, using nasal dilators can help improve airflow and reduce mouth breathing.

Try the Zircon Anti-Snoring Nasal Vents to keep your airways open throughout the night, helping you breathe better and reduce nighttime drooling. See latest price on Amazon↗

3. Insomnia

Although not directly causing drooling, insomnia can lead to deeper, more intense sleep when you finally do fall asleep, potentially increasing muscle relaxation and drooling.

What Can Help:

• Stick to a consistent bedtime.
• Avoid screens before bed.
• Use Magnesium Supplements to promote relaxation and better sleep quality.

I recommend Magnesium Glycinate Capsules to help with relaxation and reducing nighttime muscle tension to improve overall sleep quality.

4. Narcolepsy

This neurological disorder affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may experience excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, which could increase the likelihood of drooling during these episodes.

Managing Narcolepsy:
While there’s no cure for narcolepsy, maintaining a healthy sleep routine and using products that promote relaxation can help manage symptoms.

Try a quality weighted blanket to help create a calming, soothing sleep environment, promoting muscle relaxation and reducing anxiety.

If you suspect you might have a sleep disorder, it’s crucial to talk to a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Medications: Unexpected Side Effects

Certain medications can increase saliva production or affect muscle control, leading to increased drooling during sleep. Some common culprits include:

1. Antipsychotics: Used to treat various mental health conditions, these medications can sometimes increase saliva production as a side effect.
   
2. Anticonvulsants: Medications used to control seizures may affect muscle control and saliva production.
   
3. Some antidepressants: Particularly those in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can sometimes cause increased salivation.
   
4. Muscle relaxants: These can exacerbate the natural muscle relaxation that occurs during sleep, potentially leading to more drooling.
   
5. Cholinesterase inhibitors: Used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, these medications can increase saliva production.

If you’ve noticed increased drooling after starting a new medication, it’s worth discussing with your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your dosage or suggest choice treatments that don’t have this side effect.

Neurological Conditions: When Drooling Signals Something More

In some cases, excessive drooling can be a symptom of neurological conditions that affect muscle control or saliva management:

1. Parkinson’s disease: This progressive neurological disorder can affect muscle control in the face and mouth, making it difficult to manage saliva effectively.
   
2. Cerebral palsy: This group of disorders affects movement and muscle coordination, which can include the muscles involved in swallowing and saliva control.
   
3. Stroke: Depending on the affected area of the brain, a stroke can impact muscle control in the face and mouth, leading to drooling.
   
4. Multiple sclerosis: This condition affects the central nervous system and can sometimes cause difficulties with swallowing and saliva control.
   
5. Bell’s palsy: This temporary facial paralysis can affect one side of the face, potentially leading to drooling, especially during sleep.

While these conditions are less common causes of sleep drooling, persistent and excessive drooling, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

How to Stop Nighttime Drooling: Home Remedies

While some causes of sleep drooling need medical intervention, there are several practical steps you can take at home to minimize night time drooling:

Adjust Your Sleep Position to Help Control Drooling

Changing your sleep position can have a significant impact on drooling:

1. Sleep on Your Back to Reduce Drooling

Switching your sleep position is one of the easiest ways to stop drooling. When you sleep on your back, gravity works in your favor, keeping saliva inside your mouth rather than spilling onto your pillow.

Pro Tip: Elevate your head slightly with a memory foam pillow to encourage saliva to flow back into your throat.

Recommended Product:

Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Pillow

Fully adjustable and perfect for keeping your head elevated to reduce drooling. The pillow molds to your shape, providing custom support for your neck and head, making it one of the best pillow options for mouth breathers.

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2. Use a Body Pillow for Side Sleepers

If you prefer to sleep on your side, using a body pillow can help maintain a more stable position. A body pillow supports your entire body, preventing your mouth from falling open during the night.

Recommended Product:

Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow

Provides full-body support to keep you in a stable position and reduce mouth opening, which can help control drooling.

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3. Experiment with Different Pillow Types

The right pillow can make a huge difference in minimizing drooling by providing proper neck support. Memory foam or contoured pillows help keep your head and neck aligned, reducing the chances of your mouth falling open during sleep.

Recommended Product:

EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Designed to provide ergonomic neck support, this pillow helps maintain a natural sleeping position and minimize drooling at night.

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Remember, changing sleep positions can take time to get used to. Be patient and give yourself a few weeks to adjust to a new sleeping posture.

Address Nasal Congestion

Tackling nasal congestion can significantly reduce mouth breathing and, so, drooling:

1. Use nasal strips: These can help open up your nasal passages, making it easier to breathe through your nose.
   
2. Try a neti pot or saline nasal spray: These can help clear out your nasal passages before bed.
   
3. Use a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air can help reduce nasal congestion and make breathing easier.
   
4. Elevate the head of your bed: This can help reduce postnasal drip and make breathing through your nose easier.
   
5. Manage allergies: If allergies are causing your congestion, work with an allergist to find long-term solutions, such as immunotherapy or medication.
   
6. Avoid irritants: Keep your bedroom free from dust, pet dander, and other potential allergens.

Improve Sleep Hygiene

Good sleep hygiene can lead to more restful sleep and potentially reduce drooling:

1. Establish a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
   
2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine: This could include reading, gentle stretching, or meditation to help you wind down.
   
3. Optimize your sleep environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature.
   
4. Limit screen time before bed: The blue light from devices can interfere with your sleep-wake cycle.
   
5. Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime: These can disrupt your sleep quality and potentially increase drooling.
   
6. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can improve sleep quality, but avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
   
7. Manage stress: High stress levels can affect sleep quality. Consider stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness or yoga.

Quick Fix: Create a relaxing bedtime routine with a calming lavender spray to help you fall asleep faster and stay in a restful state. I recently tried Dr. Teal’s Sleep Spray with Lavender and love it. It’s a soothing blend of essential oils to promote relaxation and better sleep.

Stay Hydrated

Staying properly hydrated can help balance saliva production and reduce nighttime drooling. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, but limit fluid intake before bed to avoid nighttime disruptions.

Tips for staying hydrated:

• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist, especially in dry climates.
• Drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Eat hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, and celery.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you.

Try the AquaOasis® Cool Mist Humidifier – it’s a quieter, efficient humidifier to keep your room at the perfect moisture level for a better night’s sleep.

When to Seek Professional Help

While occasional drooling is normal, excessive or persistent drooling might warrant medical attention. Consider consulting a healthcare professional if:

1. Drooling is accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty swallowing or speech changes.
2. You experience daytime drooling or excessive saliva production.
3. Drooling significantly affects your sleep quality or daily life.
4. You notice a sudden increase in drooling without any obvious cause.
5. Drooling is accompanied by jaw pain or difficulty opening your mouth.
6. You experience persistent dry mouth along with episodes of drooling.
7. Drooling occurs alongside unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

A healthcare provider can help identify any underlying conditions and recommend suitable treatments for drooling, which might include:

1. Botox injections: In severe cases, Botox can be used to reduce saliva production by targeting the salivary glands.
2. Speech therapy: A speech-language pathologist can teach exercises to improve swallowing reflexes and muscle control.
3. Medications: Various medications can be prescribed to manage saliva production, depending on the underlying cause.
4. Oral devices: Custom-made oral appliances can help position the jaw and tongue to reduce drooling.
5. Surgery: In rare, severe cases, surgical interventions might be considered to address structural issues or redirect salivary glands.

Remember, the suitable treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your drooling, which is why professional evaluation is crucial for persistent or concerning cases.

The Unexpected Benefits of Understanding Your Drool

Believe it or not, your nighttime drooling habits can offer valuable insights into your overall health:

Is Drooling in your Sleep Good or Bad?

Drooling can sometimes show that you’re experiencing deep, restful sleep. If you’re drooling but waking up feeling refreshed, it might be a positive sign that you’re achieving good quality sleep.

However, if you’re drooling excessively and still feeling tired, it could point to other sleep issues that need addressing.

Oral Health Clues

Changes in saliva production or consistency can sometimes signal oral health issues:

1. Increased drooling might show an infection or inflammation in the mouth or throat.
2. Changes in saliva consistency could be a sign of dehydration or certain nutritional deficiencies.
3. Persistent dry mouth followed by episodes of drooling might suggest issues with salivary gland function.

Regular dental check-ups are important for maintaining overall health and can help catch any oral health issues early.

Stress and Anxiety Insights

Increased drooling might be linked to stress or anxiety, which can affect muscle tension and sleep quality:

1. Stress can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), which can stimulate saliva production.
2. Anxiety can cause mouth breathing, potentially leading to more drooling.
3. Stress-related sleep disturbances can result in deeper sleep when you finally do rest, potentially increasing drooling.

Addressing these underlying issues can improve both your sleep and overall well-being. Consider stress-reduction techniques like meditation, regular exercise, or talking to a therapist.

Medication Effectiveness

For those taking certain medications, changes in drooling patterns can sometimes show how well the medication is working:

1. Some Parkinson’s disease medications aim to reduce drooling as a symptom.
2. Certain antipsychotic medications may have drooling as a side effect, and changes in drooling could show how your body is responding to the medication.

Always talk to your healthcare provider about any noticeable changes in symptoms or side effects.

Allergies and Environmental Sensitivities

Increased drooling, especially when accompanied by nasal congestion, can be a sign of allergies or sensitivities to environmental factors:

1. Seasonal allergies might cause increased drooling during certain times of the year.
2. Sensitivity to dust, pet dander, or other household allergens could be indicated by nighttime drooling and congestion.
3. Changes in drooling patterns when traveling or in new environments might point to specific triggers.

Identifying these patterns can help you take steps to manage allergies and improve your sleep environment.

Embracing Your Nocturnal Nature

Remember, sleep drooling is a common and often harmless occurrence. Instead of feeling embarrassed, try to view it as a quirky aspect of your sleep physiology.

By understanding the causes and implementing some simple strategies, you can manage drooling effectively and potentially improve your overall sleep quality.

Here are some final thoughts to help you embrace your nocturnal nature:

1. Normalize the experience: Remember that many people drool in their sleep. Its a natural bodily function, not a flaw or weakness.
   
2. Focus on sleep quality: Instead of fixating on drooling, pay attention to how rested you feel upon waking. Good sleep quality is far more important than a dry pillow.
   
3. Use it as a health barometer: Pay attention to changes in your drooling patterns as they might offer insights into your overall health or sleep quality.
   
4. Maintain a sense of humor: If you’re comfortable, share your experiences with friends or family. You might be surprised to find how many others have similar stories.
   
5. Invest in good bedding: If drooling is a regular occurrence, invest in pillowcases that are easy to wash and quick to dry.
   
6. Practice self-compassion: Don’t be hard on yourself for something that’s largely out of your control. Your body is doing it’s best to rest and repair.
   
7. Celebrate good sleep: If you wake up with a damp pillow but feel well-rested, consider it a sign of a good night’s sleep!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I drool more when I sleep on my side?

Sleeping on your side allows gravity to pull saliva towards your pillow. When your facial muscles relax during sleep, it’s easier for saliva to escape from the corner of your mouth in this position.

Can allergies cause drooling during sleep?

Yes, allergies can contribute to drooling. They often cause nasal congestion, leading to mouth breathing, which increases the likelihood of drooling during sleep.

Is drooling in your sleep a sign of diabetes?

Drooling during sleep is not typically a direct sign of diabetes. However, it can sometimes be associated with certain conditions that can occur in people with diabetes, such as nerve damage, sleep apnea, or uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy), which may affect muscle control, including the muscles involved in swallowing. This could potentially contribute to drooling. Additionally, some people with diabetes may experience dry mouth during the day, leading to mouth breathing at night, which could cause drooling.

However, drooling in sleep can also occur for various other reasons, such as sleeping on your back, nasal congestion, or issues with your oral health. If you are concerned about frequent drooling or suspect it may be related to diabetes, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and advice.

Is drooling a sign of good sleep?

Drooling can sometimes show deep sleep, as it occurs when your muscles are fully relaxed. However, it’s not a definitive sign and can happen in various sleep stages.

How can I stop drooling while sleeping?

Try sleeping on your back, elevating your head slightly, addressing nasal congestion, and practicing good sleep hygiene. If drooling continues, consult a healthcare professional.

Does drooling mean I’m sleeping with my mouth open?

Often, yes. Drooling typically occurs when your mouth is open during sleep, which can happen because of muscle relaxation or issues like nasal congestion.

Can certain foods cause increased drooling during sleep?

While foods don’t directly cause drooling, spicy or acidic foods might increase saliva production. Eating close to bedtime can also contribute to reflux, potentially increasing drooling.

Is excessive drooling a symptom of sleep apnea?

Drooling can be associated with sleep apnea, as this condition often leads to mouth breathing. However, not all people with sleep apnea experience drooling, and not all drooling shows sleep apnea.

Can stress cause drooling during sleep?

Stress can indirectly contribute to drooling by affecting sleep quality and potentially leading to teeth grinding, which can stimulate saliva production.

Does drooling affect sleep quality?

Occasional drooling doesn’t typically affect sleep quality. However, if drooling is caused by an underlying condition like sleep apnea, addressing that condition can improve overall sleep quality.

Are there any health benefits to drooling?

While drooling itself doesn’t have direct health benefits, saliva plays a crucial role in oral health. It helps neutralize acids, wash away food particles, and contains enzymes that help with digestion.

Key Takeaways

1. Sleep drooling is common and often harmless, affecting people of all ages.
2. Muscle relaxation and sleep position are primary factors in nighttime drooling.
3. Addressing nasal congestion and sleep disorders can help reduce drooling.
4. Simple adjustments like changing sleep position can often minimize drooling.
5. Persistent or excessive drooling may warrant medical attention to rule out underlying conditions.

Related Reading

How to Stop Snoring Naturally – Mouth breathing and snoring can contribute to drooling during sleep. Discover practical tips to stop snoring for better sleep quality.

Best Wedge Pillows for Sleep Apnea – Elevating your head with a wedge pillow can help reduce drooling caused by sleep apnea and acid reflux. Find the best options here.

How to Establish a Healthy Sleep Routine – Drooling can be a sign of disrupted sleep patterns. Learn how to improve your bedtime habits for more restorative sleep.