Drooling during sleep is a common and usually harmless occurrence. While it may feel embarrassing in public or unfamiliar settings, it often results from benign factors like sleep posture. For most people, it’s a minor inconvenience that doesn’t require medical attention unless it becomes excessive or sudden.

One of the most frequent causes of nighttime drooling is your sleeping position. Lying on your side or stomach can make saliva more likely to escape the mouth, especially if nasal congestion is also present. Nasal blockages, like a deviated septum or allergies, often force people to breathe through their mouth, further increasing the chance of drooling.

Certain medications can also increase saliva production. These include sedatives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antipsychotic drugs. These medications may interfere with your body’s ability to regulate saliva, making drooling more likely during sleep.

Several health conditions can contribute to drooling. For example, sleep apnea, which causes interrupted breathing during sleep, often leads to mouth breathing and excess saliva. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also trigger increased saliva production, particularly when lying down.

Dental issues like infections, tooth decay, or gum disease can make it painful to swallow, causing saliva to pool in the mouth. Additionally, people with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, ALS, or a history of stroke may experience impaired muscle control that hinders their ability to manage saliva properly.

Mild cases of drooling can often be managed at home. Sleeping on your back can help reduce saliva leakage. Staying well-hydrated and using home remedies like sucking on lemon wedges might also assist in decreasing drooling. Mandibular advancement devices or mouthguards can help keep the mouth closed during sleep.

For those with sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine may alleviate both breathing issues and drooling. If conservative methods don’t help, more advanced treatments are available. Botox injections can reduce saliva production temporarily, and in extreme neurological cases, surgery may be considered.

If drooling begins suddenly, gets worse, or is accompanied by symptoms like facial weakness, jaw pain, or trouble swallowing, it is important to seek medical advice. These could indicate more serious health problems requiring timely intervention.