Nocturnal drooling is the involuntary flow of excess saliva from the mouth during sleep. This common occurrence can sometimes signal underlying issues. It happens when muscles around the mouth and throat relax during sleep, particularly in deeper stages, leading to a reduced swallowing reflex. Understanding its contributing factors and management strategies can help address this condition.
Common Reasons for Drooling
Several factors contribute to drooling during sleep. Sleeping position plays a significant role; individuals who sleep on their side or stomach are more likely to drool because gravity can pull saliva out. Sleeping on the back generally helps gravity keep saliva within the mouth.
Nasal congestion from allergies, colds, or sinus infections can also lead to nighttime drooling. When nasal passages are blocked, a person naturally breathes through their mouth, allowing saliva to escape more easily. Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can irritate the esophagus and trigger increased saliva production.
Certain medications, such as some antipsychotics and sedatives, can increase saliva production or affect swallowing muscles. Dental issues, including cavities, gum disease, or oral infections, can also stimulate excess saliva production.
Everyday Solutions for Drooling
Simple, practical adjustments at home can address nocturnal drooling. Changing your sleeping position is effective; sleeping on your back allows gravity to prevent saliva from escaping. A wedge pillow can help maintain this position and elevate the head, which may also reduce acid reflux.
Ensuring clear nasal passages can significantly reduce mouth breathing. Methods include using nasal strips, saline nasal sprays, or a humidifier. Staying adequately hydrated throughout the day helps maintain thinner mucus consistency, easing nasal breathing.
Dietary adjustments can also help manage saliva production. Avoiding heavy, acidic, or sugary meals close to bedtime can prevent increased saliva flow and reduce acid reflux symptoms. Practicing good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, supports overall oral health and prevents issues leading to excessive saliva.
When Professional Help is Needed
While many instances of drooling are manageable with home remedies, professional medical advice is important if drooling persists or becomes severe despite consistent attempts. Seek evaluation if drooling significantly interferes with daily activities or causes social discomfort.
Consult a doctor if drooling is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, choking episodes during sleep, or excessive daytime fatigue. Loud snoring or gasping sounds during sleep, alongside drooling, could indicate a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea, which requires medical diagnosis. Neurological changes, such as those associated with Parkinson’s disease, Bell’s Palsy, or a stroke, can affect muscle control and lead to drooling, necessitating professional assessment.
Clinical Approaches to Managing Drooling
When home remedies are insufficient, healthcare professionals offer clinical interventions after diagnosing the underlying cause. If medications contribute, a doctor may review and adjust prescriptions. For excessive saliva production, prescription anticholinergic drugs can reduce saliva flow.
These medications, such as scopolamine or glycopyrrolate, work by blocking nerve impulses to the salivary glands. Dental devices, like custom oral appliances, can help improve jaw positioning and support proper lip closure during sleep, which may reduce drooling.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the salivary glands are another option, temporarily reducing saliva production for several months. In rare instances, surgical options, such as altering or removing salivary glands, may be considered as a last resort when other treatments are ineffective.