Tired and embarrassed of waking up to a soggy pillow? Well, drooling in your sleep is quite a frustrating problem, but hey, we can help! Many ways are effective enough to stop you from drooling in your sleep. But first, let’s see why your mouth showers are open during nap time and then get on with the treatment.
9 Reasons Why You Drool In Your Sleep
Drooling is the phenomenon where your body overproduces saliva to the extent that it becomes a problem to contain it within. Here is a list of common causes of why this happens.
Sleeping Position
Yes, as silly as it sounds, the position you sleep in affects the extent of drooling while you sleep. When you go through the night on your back, excess saliva stays in your mouth or goes through the throat. On the other hand, if you sleep on the sides or stomach, it is most likely that your drool will stain the pillow.
Treatment
There is no proper treatment for this. You can take easy measures like sleeping on your back and asking your co-sleeper to change your position if you roll over, breathing out of your nose, etc.
Sleep Apnea
It is the condition in which your body involuntarily stops breathing for a while during sleep. This irregular breathing causes to increase the risk of drooling during sleep.
Treatment
If you show signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, such as fatigue or loud snoring, lifestyle changes like weight loss and breathing aid machines can help greatly.
Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, increases the chances multifold of drooling during sleep since grinding triggers the glands to produce excess saliva.
Seasonal Allergies
Are you suffering from itchy eyes, sneezing, and excessive drooling? The reason may be allergens which are mold and pollen coming from trees, grass, and weeds.
Treatment
Treating seasonal allergies is now easy with the help of OTC antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec.
Respiratory infections
Your sinuses inflame due to the common cold and allergies, causing a blockage and unwanted drainage. This may come out in the form of drooling.
Treatment
It is better to let the illness run on its own if you have an upper respiratory tract infection. However, if your condition is getting worse, antibiotics can help.
Acid reflux
Some people who have an overproduction of acid in the stomach also see a surge in saliva during sleep which causes drooling. This is accentuated when you eat a large meal and lie in bed.
Treatment
It is best to make dietary changes, such as adding fiber to your food, along with eating smaller meals. As far as medicines go, OTC antacids help, but talk to your doctor first.
Neurological disease
Your brain is the one which handles all the functions of the human body. So, if, due to any disease, your neurological system gets damaged, it may affect your saliva production.
Treatment
Your doctor can prescribe medicines that help reduce saliva production.
Medication Side Effects
Sometimes drugs that are used for treating psychosis, Alzheimer’s, etc., cause excessive salivation and drooling as side effects.
Treatment
You can always ask your doctor for an alternate medicine if the current ones are not working properly.
Other Medical Conditions
- Epiglottitis
- Bell’s palsy
- Brain injury
They all cause your mouth to make extra saliva and cause drooling.
Final Note
Our dental and sleep experts from Pasadena Oral Surgery are just a call away. Dial (281) 299-0053 to connect with us.