If you often find yourself drooling while sleeping, it may seem like a harmless or even humorous problem. However, frequent drooling during sleep could be a signal that something more serious is going on with your health. Many people brush off this occurrence, thinking it’s no big deal, but it might be worth paying closer attention. Drooling isn’t always just about an awkward sleep position; in some cases, it can point to underlying health issues that need medical attention. Take the story of Xiao Liang, a 25-year-old programmer from China.
His demanding job often kept him working late into the night, and even after logging off from work, he’d stay up late playing video games. The exhaustion made mornings tough, and he found himself only catching up on sleep during lunch breaks. But over time, he noticed something strange—he kept drooling while sleeping. At first, it was just embarrassing. But eventually, it became enough of a concern that he decided to see a doctor. After hearing Xiao Liang’s experience and noticing he drooled consistently on the same side, the doctor ordered a CT scan. Shockingly, the scan revealed early signs of blockage in Xiao Liang’s cerebral blood vessels. Fortunately, they caught it early, helping him avoid more serious complications like a cerebral infarction or a brain hemorrhage.
To understand why drooling happens, it helps to know a little about saliva production. Saliva is produced automatically by the salivary glands, which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system—the same system that controls functions like your heartbeat. There are three major pairs of salivary glands in the mouth: the sublingual glands, the parotid glands, and the submandibular glands. In addition, there are many smaller glands scattered throughout the lining of your mouth. These glands produce saliva continuously, keeping the mouth moist, helping to clean the oral cavity, aiding digestion, and fighting bacteria. The average healthy adult produces about one to one-and-a-half liters of saliva each day. Certain factors can increase saliva production, such as eating or stimulation of the brain’s nerves. However, when you’re stressed, fatigued, breathing through your mouth, or sleeping in an awkward position, it can result in drooling.
While drooling during sleep is quite common in children—because they haven’t yet developed strong control over their mouth muscles—frequent drooling in adults can be a warning sign of several medical conditions. One of the most common causes is oral disease. Infections like pharyngitis, inflammation of the mouth or face, gingivitis, or dental issues like loose or crooked teeth can overstimulate the salivary glands, leading to drooling. People with dentures who experience discomfort may also drool more, but in many cases, dental treatment can help alleviate the problem. Another possible cause is facial paralysis. This condition affects the muscles on one side of the face, making it difficult to keep saliva in the mouth. If facial paralysis is present, symptoms such as a crooked mouth or drooping facial muscles may also be noticed, and immediate medical care is necessary.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, often referred to as GERD, is another common contributor to nighttime drooling. Acid reflux increases the body’s salivation reflex. People with GERD often experience additional symptoms such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, and chest discomfort. Parkinson’s disease is another condition where drooling is common. Individuals with Parkinson’s may have difficulty swallowing, causing saliva to accumulate. Damage to nerves that regulate salivation can also lead to increased saliva production. More serious conditions like cerebral thrombosis can also be linked to drooling. When blood vessels in the brain are blocked, the muscles that control swallowing and mouth movements may become impaired, resulting in drooling, especially if it’s consistently on one side. Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, can reduce blood flow to the brain, causing weakness in the facial muscles and affecting the swallowing reflex. Middle-aged and older adults with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol should be particularly vigilant if they notice new or increased drooling during sleep.
If you’re looking to minimize or prevent drooling, there are practical solutions you can try. First, adjusting your sleep position can make a big difference. Sleeping on your back helps maintain better control over saliva and improves breathing, while sleeping on your stomach or side may encourage drooling. Using a supportive neck pillow can help keep your head and jaw in a more favorable position. Secondly, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. Brush your teeth twice a day, use fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and rinse after meals. Addressing any dental issues promptly, such as cavities or gum disease, will also reduce unnecessary saliva production. Finally, if drooling is a side effect of medication you’re taking, it’s important to consult your doctor. They may be able to adjust your prescription or recommend alternatives, but you should never make changes to your medication without professional guidance. In the end, while drooling during sleep may seem trivial, it can sometimes be a red flag for deeper health concerns. Paying attention to it and seeking medical advice if necessary can help you stay on top of your health.
