How do I stop my mouth from watering when I sleep?

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Sleep Association, millions of people experience sleep-related breathing disorders, which are a common cause of nighttime drooling. Understanding the root causes is the first step toward effective solutions when you wonder, "How do I stop my mouth from watering when I sleep?"

Quick Summary

Excessive drooling during sleep, known as nocturnal ptyalism, can often be managed by simple adjustments such as changing sleep positions or addressing nasal congestion. Sometimes, it indicates an underlying issue like sleep apnea or acid reflux, requiring a healthcare provider's evaluation. Solutions range from over-the-counter remedies to specialized dental appliances or medical treatments.

Key Points

Change Sleeping Position: Sleeping on your back instead of your side or stomach can use gravity to your advantage, keeping saliva in your mouth.
Address Nasal Congestion: Clearing your nasal passages with a humidifier, saline spray, or allergy medication can encourage nose breathing and prevent mouth-breathing.
Consider Underlying Medical Issues: Persistent drooling may be a symptom of a more serious condition like sleep apnea, acid reflux (GERD), or a neurological disorder that requires medical evaluation.
Explore Dental Appliances: Custom-fitted mouthguards or other oral devices can help improve swallowing mechanics and keep the mouth closed during sleep.
Ensure Proper Hydration: Staying well-hydrated throughout the day can prevent the body from producing thicker, excessive saliva at night.
Review Your Medications: Certain medications can increase saliva production; discuss any new or existing medications with your doctor if you suspect they are a contributing factor.

Understanding the Causes of Nocturnal Drooling

Excessive salivation during sleep, or nocturnal ptyalism, can be more than just an annoyance. It often points to a physiological reason. During sleep, especially in the deeper stages, your facial muscles relax. If you sleep with your mouth open, this relaxation can cause saliva to leak out. This is a primary reason why sleeping position plays a significant role. Breathing through your mouth, which can result from nasal congestion, allergies, or sleep apnea, is another major factor.

Lifestyle Adjustments and Home Remedies

Changing certain habits can have a profound impact on reducing nighttime drooling. Implementing these strategies is often the first and most effective step for many individuals.

Adjusting Your Sleep Position

Sleeping on your back is one of the simplest and most effective solutions. When you lie on your back, gravity naturally keeps saliva at the back of your throat, where it is more easily swallowed. If you are a natural side or stomach sleeper, consider using a specialized wedge pillow to elevate your head. This makes it more difficult to open your mouth and prevents saliva from pooling.

Addressing Nasal Congestion

Breathing through your mouth is a direct consequence of a blocked nose. Addressing the source of congestion can be a game-changer. Here are some strategies:

Use a Humidifier: Running a humidifier in your bedroom can help keep your nasal passages moist, reducing congestion.
Clear Your Sinuses Before Bed: A saline nasal spray can clear out irritants and mucus. Alternatively, inhaling steam from a hot shower before bed can also help open up your airways.
Manage Allergies: If seasonal or chronic allergies are the cause, over-the-counter antihistamines may provide relief. Consult with a doctor to find the best treatment for your specific allergies.

Maintaining Hydration and Oral Hygiene

Counterintuitively, dehydration can sometimes lead to excessive saliva production. When your body is dehydrated, it can produce thicker saliva to protect your mouth, which can feel like an excess. Staying adequately hydrated throughout the day helps maintain a balanced saliva consistency. Additionally, poor oral hygiene, which can cause bacterial infections or gum problems, may stimulate saliva production. Regular brushing and flossing are essential.

When to Consider Medical Intervention

If lifestyle changes aren't enough, or if other symptoms are present, it may be time to seek medical advice. Several underlying health conditions can contribute to excessive drooling.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD, or acid reflux, can trigger excessive saliva production as the body's natural response to soothe the esophagus from stomach acid. The condition is often worse when lying down, causing nocturnal drooling. Treatments range from dietary changes to antacids or prescription medication.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. People with OSA are more likely to breathe through their mouths and snore, both of which can lead to drooling. A sleep study can diagnose OSA, and treatments like a CPAP machine or an oral appliance can effectively manage it.

Dental Appliances and Botox Injections

For some individuals, especially those with dental issues or neurological conditions, specialized interventions may be necessary. Dentists can provide oral devices, similar to mouthguards, that help keep the mouth closed during sleep or assist with swallowing. In more severe, persistent cases, a doctor might recommend Botox injections into the salivary glands. This temporary measure paralyzes the nerves, reducing saliva production.

Comparison of Solutions


Method	Effectiveness	Speed of Results	Common Causes It Addresses
Sleeping Position	High for mild cases	Immediate	Sleep-related facial muscle relaxation
Nasal Congestion Treatment	High for congestion-related issues	Varies (from quick relief to days)	Allergies, colds, sinus infections
Dental/Oral Appliances	High for structural issues like bruxism	Weeks to adjust	Teeth grinding, jaw alignment
GERD Management	High for reflux-related drooling	Gradual (weeks to months)	Acid reflux
Botox Injections	Very High for severe cases	Days to a week	Neurological conditions, persistent hypersalivation

Long-Term Solutions and Prevention

Beyond immediate remedies, building long-term habits can prevent nocturnal drooling from returning. Focusing on holistic health—including diet, hydration, and stress management—can address many of the contributing factors. Stress and anxiety, for instance, can indirectly impact sleep quality and breathing patterns. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed, such as meditation or deep breathing, can be beneficial.

For more in-depth information on related topics, the National Institutes of Health offers a vast database of research and health articles, a great resource for further reading.

Conclusion

Nighttime drooling is a common problem with a variety of potential causes, ranging from simple lifestyle factors to more serious underlying medical conditions. The journey to stop your mouth from watering when you sleep often begins with small, manageable changes, such as altering your sleep position or using a humidifier to combat nasal congestion. If these steps are not effective, or if you experience additional symptoms like loud snoring or acid reflux, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. A doctor can help diagnose the underlying issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, ensuring you get a more restful, drool-free night's sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

While often harmless, persistent or sudden excessive drooling can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea, acid reflux (GERD), or a neurological disorder. If you are concerned, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, absolutely. Sleeping on your back helps gravity keep saliva in your mouth, where it can be swallowed. Side or stomach sleepers are more prone to drooling because their mouths are more likely to fall open, and gravity pulls the saliva out.

Allergies can cause nasal congestion, forcing you to breathe through your mouth while you sleep. When you mouth-breathe, your facial muscles relax, and you are less likely to swallow your saliva, leading to drooling.

A dentist may recommend a custom-fitted oral appliance, similar to a mouthguard, which can help position your jaw and tongue to keep your mouth closed during sleep. This is also a common treatment for sleep bruxism (teeth grinding).

Yes, in some cases, a doctor might prescribe anticholinergic medications, such as scopolamine patches, which work by blocking nerve signals to the salivary glands. For more severe cases, Botox injections may be used to temporarily reduce saliva production.

For individuals with obesity-related obstructive sleep apnea, losing weight can significantly improve breathing, reduce snoring, and thereby decrease nocturnal drooling. It can also help manage acid reflux, which is another cause of excessive saliva.

The body’s natural response to the irritation caused by stomach acid reaching the esophagus is to produce more saliva to neutralize and wash away the acid. This condition, called water brash, can lead to hypersalivation and drooling, especially when lying down.