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, Derila Sleep Aid 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? 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. 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. 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 Top-Rated Memory Ergonomic Neck Pillow 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 Better with Derila 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. While you can’t have complete control over excess saliva production while asleep, there are a few management strategies you can try. 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 Derila™ Memory 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. 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. "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. 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. "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. What Is Core Sleep? Is It Bad to Eat Before Bed? All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. First For Women does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, Derila™ Memory Pillow hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.