4 Ways To Stop Drooling While Sleeping

It can be quite embarrassing to wake up to a pillow drenched in saliva, but it is not something you can’t control. But do you know why we drool in the first place? When excess saliva comes out of a person’s mouth, it is known as drooling. It generally happens to everyone at some point in their lives but sometimes the problem occurs more than usual and that is when it becomes an alarming symptom of a problem that might knock on the door before you even know it. 

When a person sleeps, the face muscles relax which can lead to an accumulation of excess saliva in the mouth which can drip out past the lips. This way you end up with a lot of saliva on your pillow in the morning. The excessive production is known as hypersalivation. 

Ways to Stop Drooling 

Change your sleeping position 

There is a multitude of reasons that amount to the problem of drooling but the most common reason is your sleep position. People who sleep on their stomach or on their side are more likely to drool then those who don’t. So, the first thing you need to do is change your sleeping position. 

Sleeping on your back is a better position to sleep if you want to avoid drooling. This way all the saliva in the mouth stays in it and it does not run out from the corners of the mouth. Try to stay in one position all night to avoid drooling – it might be difficult to sleep in a new position but after a while, the body can become used to it. 

Get treatment for blocked sinuses 

Another reason for drooling is a blocked nose. A nasal congestion can lead to a cold or an infection, which can lead to drooling. Blocked sinuses lead you to breathe from the nose than the mouth which in turn leads to more drool escaping your mouth. 

You can use some essential oils to unclog your sinuses – they will help you breathe freely and induce better sleep. A hot shower can also help promote normal breathing at night. You should definitely visit a doctor for proper medication.

Also read: Natural and Effective Remedies for Sinus you Can Rely upon

Check for sleep apnea 

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, wherein a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People suffering from sleep apnea can often face problems such as waking up in the middle of the night, sleepwalking, feeling of tiredness, snoring and drooling. 

If you think that sleep apnea is the cause of you drooling, then you must seek help from a doctor to get rid of the problem.

Also read: Obstructive sleep apnea: Myths and facts

Try some home remedies 

Drooling is a common occurrence if you have cavities or an infection in your mouth. In such a case, resorting to some home remedies might help with the condition such as brushing your teeth regularly to avoid cavities as it can reduce gum inflammation and mouth irritation. 

Drooling is nothing you have to be embarrassed about and you can try these steps given above to improve the condition. However, if you think your condition is a sign of a health hazard, bring it your doctor’s attention to let them diagnose the problem thoroughly and give you proper medication.