Experts Reveal How To Stop Drooling in Your Sleep (Puffing Your Cheeks Helps!)

Unless your partner has mentioned it, odds are you don’t know for certain whether you sleep with your mouth open or drool. That said, there are a few signs that point to the involuntary habit. For example, if you’re waking up to wet spots on your pillow or around your mouth and chin, it’s possible that you drooled as you snoozed. We asked our sleep experts how to stop drooling in your sleep as well as some of the common causes.

Why do I drool when I sleep?

So, what causes us to drool while asleep? These factors may contribute to the problem:

Your sleeping position

The most common reasons for overnight drooling have to do with the position your body is in while you sleep. When you lay on your side or stomach, it’s easier for saliva to escape from your mouth, explains Raj Dasgupta, MD , Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis.

Health

More Than 80% of People Who Grind Their Teeth in Their Sleep Don’t Know They Do It — This Simple Tweak Puts an End to It

Plus, the surprising factors that raise your risk of developing the condition

It may also be related to the position of your mouth. Drooling while you sleep is also often caused by breathing through your mouth, which can happen if your nose is blocked, he says. In some cases, mouth-breathing while sleeping can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea .

Certain health conditions or medications

Less obvious causes that lead to drooling include acid reflux or medications that affect saliva production, notes Chelsea Perry, DMD , owner of Sleep Solutions and a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Medications associated with drooling are antipsychotics, particularly clozapine, direct and indirect cholinergic agonists (which are used to treat Alzheimer’s and myasthenia gravis) and a variety of antibiotics.

Sometimes, drooling can also be linked to neurological conditions or poor muscle control around the mouth, she adds. For example, some people living with cerebral palsy may drool due to lack of control over the muscles in their throat, mouth and tongue.

Should you seek medical care for drooling in your sleep?

While it’s normal to wonder: “Why do I drool in my sleep?,” it’s also important to note that in most cases, losing some saliva in your sleep is not cause for concern. That’s especially true if it happens while you’re in a very deep sleep or sleeping in a position other than flat on your back.

But how much is too much? Drooling is usually considered excessive if it happens every night or soaks your pillow, offers Dr. Perry. Issues with breathing through your mouth or swallowing while you’re asleep also warrant a visit to your physician, adds Dr. Dasgupta.

How to stop drooling in your sleep

While you can’t have complete control over excess saliva production while asleep, there are a few management strategies you can try.

1. Switch your sleep position to stop drooling in your sleep

To help reduce the chances of drooling while you sleep, try sleeping on your back instead of sleeping on your side or stomach, suggests Dr. Dasgupta. This is, of course, easier said than done if lying on your back is not your usual natural sleeping position. However, you can try certain methods to help your body adjust.

“To train yourself to sleep on your back, start by using an extra pillow under your knees and lower back,” suggests Mark A. Anton, MD, FACS , Medical Director of Slimz Weight Loss Clinic. “This small incline helps take pressure off the spine and makes back sleeping more comfortable. You can gradually decrease the incline over time as your body adapts.”

It's also helpful to establish a relaxing bedtime routine to unwind. In addition to limiting screen time and stimulation before bed, Dr. Anton recommends a warm bath or light stretching to release any tension and make it easier to fall asleep on your back.

Health

Doctors & Dentists: What You Need to Know If You Wake Up With a Dry Mouth

Dry mouth could be the sign of an underlying condition and can pose a threat to teeth and gums

“For many of my patients, it took just two weeks of diligent back sleeping to establish it as their new preferred sleeping position,” he offers. “The key is starting slowly and avoiding frustration. Even just sleeping on your back part of the night and working your way up from there can lead to success.”

2. Treat nasal congestion to stop drooling in your sleep

It’s also important to address any nasal congestion you may have from allergies, a cold or a sinus infection. You can do so using decongestants , a saline rinse or a humidifier, our experts agree, as this should help mitigate mouth breathing.

3. Drink water and exercise your muscles to stop drooling in your sleep

“ Staying well-hydrated and practicing exercises that strengthen the muscles around your mouth, like gently puffing out your cheeks or closing your lips tightly, can also make a difference,” says Dr. Perry. Check out the video below for a visual how-to.

Keep reading for more ways to improve sleep health:

What Is Core Sleep? An Expert Shares Why You Need More of It To Wake up Feeling Energized and Sharp

Waking Up in the Middle of The Night is Not Always Cause for Concern, Experts Say—But Here’s How to Combat Sleep Interruptions

Is It Bad to Eat Before Bed? Experts Say No With These Foods and Guidelines

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .