What makes you dribble

Heartburn and acid reflux are two of the more common symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disorder GERD. Your body also increases its saliva production to try to flush out the irritation in your esophagus, therefore increasing the chances of drooling when you sleep.

Allergic reactions, sinus infections, and sinus problems caused by mold, pollen, or the common cold often result in nasal congestion, which in turn creates breathing difficulties, as well as an increase in saliva production to flush any toxins out. All of these health problems will often result in a loss of control of facial or oral muscles, which can create problems in swallowing. Some drugs can actually induce drooling , which according to Dr. There are physical and psychological complications that arise from frequent drooling.

These include:. There are a number of treatment options available to stop or prevent drooling and help you get better sleep. Mouth devices such as a continuous positive airway pressure CPAP machine or mandibular advancement device are commonly used to help with sleep apnea. A CPAP machine helps to keep your airway open while you sleep by blowing air with continuous pressure down your throat, potentially reducing the occurrence of drool when you sleep.

The mandibular device looks like a mouthguard and is designed to improve sleep and reduce drooling and snoring.

It adjusts the positioning of your tongue and encourages your mouth to close. Anticholinergic medications such as scopolamine can also be used to help reduce drooling. Pretty much anything with bacon. Are you drooling yet? But unwanted, excessive drooling — usually while sleeping — is no laughing matter. It can be annoying and embarrassing. This can lead to drooling which typically is not cause for concern, but at times can be a sign of a larger health problem.

Here are four causes that could be behind your excessive drooling. If your body is allergic to something or has an infection, it might produce more saliva to flush the toxins out. In turn, this can make you drool. There are a few different conditions that can cause this reaction:. Seasonal Allergies : Are itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing accompanying your drooling? You might be suffering from seasonal allergies, which can also cause excessive saliva production and lead to drooling.

The most common allergens are mold, and pollen — from trees, grass, and weeds. The patch releases the medication continuously, and one patch typically lasts for about 72 hours.

Glycopyrrolate is another option. It also decreases saliva production by blocking nerve impulses, but side effects can be more severe. They may include:. Botulinum toxin Botox injections have been used to treat drooling in people with neurological disorders. A doctor injects Botox into the salivary glands, usually with the assistance of ultrasound imaging.

The Botox paralyzes the muscles in the area, preventing the salivary glands from functioning. A study from found that patients with neurological disorders who received Botox showed a significant decrease in drooling.

The goal is to improve jaw stability and tongue strength and mobility. This therapy can also help a person to close the lips fully.

Speech therapy may take time, but a person can learn techniques to improve swallowing and decrease drooling. An oral appliance is a device placed in the mouth to assist with swallowing. The device helps with tongue positioning and lip closure. Surgery is a last resort and is typically only used when an underlying neurological condition causes severe drooling.

A surgical method may be recommended for people who experience profuse and continuous drooling after other treatments have not worked. Infections, neurological conditions, and other issues can cause a person to drool, even when awake. A review from noted that excessive drooling is common among people with:. Injecting botulinum toxin into your salivary glands can prevent them from overproducing saliva. Be aware that these injections are not a permanent solution, and you will need to get more injections when the effects wear off after a few months.

Mandibular devices are a type of appliance you wear in your mouth while you sleep. They are designed to help reduce drooling, snoring, and teeth grinding by keeping your lips closed and your tongue and teeth in the right place.

Speech therapists can teach you exercises that strengthen your tongue and jaw muscles, improving their stability. With speech therapy, you may be able to swallow better, better breathe with your mouth closed, and reduce drooling. People with neurological conditions may be prescribed medication to stop drooling. These medications reduce drooling by blocking the nerve impulses to your salivary glands. However, they commonly produce side effects, such as an overly dry mouth.

In severe cases of hypersalivation, your doctor may recommend surgery. A few types of surgery are used to treat drooling, including surgical removal of the salivary glands, alteration of salivary gland ducts, and reduction of nerve connections to salivary glands. Typically, surgery is reserved for people who also drool during waking hours, and even then it is considered a last resort, after all other options have been attempted and found not to work. Drooling in your sleep is normal.

But, if you are worried you are drooling too much, set up an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can assess whether your drooling could be a sign of an underlying health condition, and provide personalized advice on how to drool less during sleep. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.

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Updated September 2, Written by Danielle Pacheco. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nilong Vyas. Is Drooling During Sleep Normal? Your Sleeping Position Your sleep position can affect how much drool you find on your pillow in the morning. Infections and Allergies If you are experiencing a cold, strep throat, or seasonal allergies, these conditions can inflame your sinuses and block your airways, causing you to breathe through your mouth and drool more than usual. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Heartburn may be the most well-known symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , but drooling and dysphagia , or difficulty swallowing, are also common symptoms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder that causes temporary pauses in breathing while you sleep. Additional symptoms of OSA include: Snoring , gasping, or choking while asleep Waking up during the night Morning headaches Difficulty focusing during the day Daytime sleepiness If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Bruxism Drooling commonly accompanies sleep bruxism , or teeth grinding during sleep. Underlying Medical Conditions Your nervous system stimulates your salivary glands, which may explain why impaired swallowing and excessive drooling are common with neurodegenerative disorders.

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