How To Stop Drooling In Your Sleep 2023: 6 Ways To Consider
Reviewed by Dr. Drew Sutton, MD
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Drooling while sleeping can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem for many people. It can cause disrupted sleep and even lead to social anxiety in some cases. Fortunately, there are several tips that can help prevent drooling while sleeping.
In this article, we will discuss some practical solutions to reduce drooling, including changing your sleeping position, practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, treating allergies and sinus problems, using a humidifier, and staying hydrated during the day. By following these tips, you can reduce drooling and enjoy a better night’s sleep. Before we talk specifically about each of the ways to prevent drooling in your sleep we’ll talk about some of the most common causes of drooling during sleep! Keep reading to find out how to solve your nighttime drooling woes!
How To Stop Drooling In Your Sleep?
In this article, we will discuss these factors and provide tips on how to stop drooling in your sleep. Some of the tips include changing sleeping positions, practicing good oral hygiene, and treating underlying medical conditions. By following these tips, you can reduce or even eliminate drooling while sleeping and wake up feeling refreshed.
What Causes Drooling While Sleeping?
Drooling while sleeping is a common occurrence that can be caused by various factors. GERD, sleeping position, sleep apnea, medications, and certain medical conditions are all potential culprits. Let’s talk more in depth about some of these factors!
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)[1] is a condition where the contents of the stomach flow back up into the esophagus, causing various symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. GERD can also cause drooling while sleeping.
The mechanism by which GERD causes drooling while sleeping is related to the increased production of saliva. Saliva production is stimulated by the presence of acid in the esophagus, which is a common occurrence in GERD. When a person with GERD lies down to sleep, the acid in their stomach can travel up the esophagus and into the throat. This triggers the production of excess saliva by salivary glands as the body tries to neutralize the acid. The excess saliva production can then pool in the mouth and lead to drooling.
Other factors that may contribute to drooling in GERD patients include a weak or malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for preventing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, as well as the use of medications that increase saliva production. Treatment of GERD typically involves lifestyle modifications, medication, and in some cases, surgery. CBD could also be useful for GERD, check out the best CBD for GERD now!
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position[2] can also be a factor that causes drooling while sleeping. When you sleep on your stomach or on your side with your face down, your mouth may naturally open, allowing saliva to flow out of your mouth. This can result in drooling during sleep. Additionally, sleeping with your head at an awkward angle or in a position that compresses your jaw or cheeks can also increase the likelihood of drooling. With regard to drooling, sleep position matters!
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by brief pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can occur multiple times per hour, leading to a decreased oxygen supply to the body. In addition to causing disrupted sleep, sleep apnea can also lead to drooling while sleeping.
During sleep apnea, the muscles in the back of the throat relax, which can cause the airway to become partially or completely blocked. When this happens, the individual may struggle to breathe and may even wake up gasping for air. This can also cause excess saliva to build up in the mouth, leading to drooling.
Additionally, some people with sleep apnea[3] may sleep with their mouths open to try to get more air in. This can also cause drooling. Treating sleep apnea, either with lifestyle changes or with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or with surgery, can help alleviate symptoms such as drooling while sleeping.
Other Causes
Certain medications can also cause drooling, particularly those that induce drowsiness or relax the muscles. Conditions such as allergies[4], sinus congestion, and nasal obstruction can cause people to breathe through their mouth while sleeping, leading to drooling.
Neurological disorders and conditions such as Parkinson’s disease[5] and cerebral palsy[6] can also cause excessive drooling and too much saliva production while sleeping. These conditions can affect the muscles and nerves responsible for controlling saliva production and swallowing, leading to drooling.
How To Stop Drooling In Your Sleep?
Prop Your Head Up
Change sleeping positions: Sleeping on your back can help keep your mouth closed and prevent drooling. This may not be the ideal sleeping position for those with sleep apnea. Those suffering with GERD will want to sleep on their back with their head propped up with pillows as this will help prevent stomach acid from regurgitating into the throat. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or with your head in an awkward angle that compresses your jaw or cheeks. Avoiding sleeping on your stomach can also help you avoid mouth breathing.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Establishing a regular sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment can help improve the quality of your sleep, reduce stress, and minimize drooling.
Treat underlying medical conditions: If your drooling is caused by an underlying medical condition such as GERD, sleep apnea, or allergies, treating the condition may help alleviate drooling.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Regular brushing and flossing can help improve the health of your teeth and gums, reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth and minimizing drooling.
Use Over-The-Counter Or Prescription Medications
Anticholinergic medications[7] can help reduce the amount of saliva produced in your mouth, which can help alleviate drooling. However, these medications may have side effects and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Tips To Prevent Drooling While Sleeping
Change Your Sleeping Position
If you tend to sleep on your back or with your head at an awkward angle, try sleeping on your side with a pillow that keeps your head elevated. This can help prevent saliva from pooling in your mouth and causing drooling.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth and tongue before bed to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. This can help reduce saliva production during sleep.
Avoid Alcohol And Sedatives
Alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in your mouth and throat, making it easier for saliva to escape and causing drooling.
Treat Allergies And Sinus Problems
Allergies and sinus congestion can cause you to breathe through your mouth while sleeping, which can lead to drooling. Treating these conditions can help reduce drooling.
Use A Humidifier
Dry air can cause your mouth to produce more saliva. Using a humidifier can help keep the air moist and reduce drooling.
Stay Hydrated During The Day
Drinking plenty of water during the day can help reduce saliva production at night, which can decrease drooling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several factors that can cause drooling while sleeping, including GERD, sleeping position, sleep apnea, medications, and certain medical conditions. To prevent drooling, you can try propping up your head, changing sleeping positions, practicing good sleep hygiene, treating underlying medical conditions, practicing good oral hygiene, and using over-the-counter or prescription medications. By implementing these tips, you can improve your sleep quality and reduce the likelihood of drooling while sleeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try propping up your head, changing sleeping positions, practicing good sleep hygiene, treating underlying medical conditions, practicing good oral hygiene, and using over-the-counter or prescription medications.
GERD, sleeping position, sleep apnea, medications, and certain medical conditions.
Alcohol and sedatives can relax the muscles in your mouth and throat, making it easier for saliva to escape and causing drooling.
The mechanism by which GERD causes drooling while sleeping is related to the increased production of saliva.
+ 7 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
- Clarrett, D.M. and Hachem, C. (2018). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Missouri medicine, [online] 115(3), pp.214–218. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140167/.
- Guo, H., Wang, T., Li, X., Ma, Q., Niu, X. and Qiu, J. (2017). What sleep behaviors are associated with bruxism in children? A systematic review and meta-analysis. [online] 21(4), pp.1013–1023. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-017-1496-3.
- Alansari, R.A. and Kaki, A.S. (2020). Knowledge of Signs, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Dental Interns. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 21(5), pp.558–561. doi:https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2801.
- Rubens Rafael Abreu, Regina Lunardi Rocha, Joel Alves Lamounier and Marques, F. (2008). Etiologia, manifestações clínicas e alterações presentes nas crianças respiradoras orais. [online] 84(6), pp.529–535. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/s0021-75572008000700010.
- Polychronis, S., Grigorios Nasios, Efthimios Dardiotis, Lambros Messinis and Pagano, G. (2022). Pathophysiology and Symptomatology of Drooling in Parkinson’s Disease. [online] 10(3), pp.516–516. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10030516.
- Fitzgerald, D.A., Follett, J.R. and Peter Van Asperen (2009). Assessing and managing lung disease and sleep disordered breathing in children with cerebral palsy. [online] 10(1), pp.18–24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prrv.2008.10.003.
- Reid, S.M., Westbury, C., Guzys, A. and Reddihough, D. (2020). Anticholinergic medications for reducing drooling in children with developmental disability. [online] 62(3), pp.346–353. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14350.
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