Updated 9/25/2025
Nighttime drooling can be caused by factors like sleeping position, allergies, congestion, deep sleep, reflux, or certain medical conditions. To reduce it, try sleeping on your back, using the right pillow height, staying hydrated, treating allergies, or in persistent cases, consult your doctor about mouthguards, medications, or other treatments.
Did you know that the average person produces approximately 3 to 6 cups of saliva per day? We know — ew. But all that drool might not be as gross as you think.
Our saliva is mainly made of water and serves as an essential part of maintaining oral hygiene. Beyond keeping your teeth strong, saliva also helps you taste and chew, fights germs, prevents bad breath, and protects your tooth enamel.
But even those who prepare with effective bedtime routines may experience the frustration of drooling in their sleep. So why does it happen, and how can you stop drooling in your sleep?
Why Do You Drool In Your Sleep?
Drooling while sleeping can be traced to several causes, from your sleeping position to your age. Here are some common factors that may cause you to drool in your sleep:
Age
While drooling is common for babies who are still developing their swallowing muscles, older adults may also find they begin to drool more as they age. As we get older, the muscles that control saliva and swallowing may weaken, leading to a greater tendency for saliva to pool in the mouth during sleep.
Congestion or sickness
When your nose is congested, you may unconsciously breathe through your mouth during sleep. Illnesses or seasonal occurrences like allergies can block your sinuses, leading to mouth breathing and an increased likelihood of drooling in your sleep and beyond.
Deep sleep
During the stages of deep sleep, your face and mouth muscles will start to relax. In this state, the muscles that control your mouth’s opening and swallowing become more relaxed, potentially allowing saliva to escape.
Gastric or acid reflux
Gastric reflux occurs when your stomach acid travels upward into your throat, causing restrictions in your throat that may lead to excess drooling.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing temporarily stops during sleep, can cause an imbalance in your body's ability to regulate saliva. Because sleep apnea narrows or blocks your airway, it can lead to a buildup of saliva in your mouth during the night.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause increased saliva production during sleep. The intense muscle contractions involved in grinding can lead to an open mouth, which may allow the saliva in your mouth to escape and result in drooling.
Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing may lead to an excess of saliva in the mouth, causing excessive drooling. It’s important to consult a doctor about any potential medical problem you may have, especially if they are impacting your quality of sleep.
8 Ways to Prevent Drooling in Your Sleep
Drooling in your sleep can be an annoying issue, but there are several ways to address it. By making a few adjustments to your habits and environment, you can reduce the chances of waking up with a drool mark.
1. Switch Up Your Sleeping Position
Stomach or side sleepers may find an easy fix to drooling while asleep — learn how to sleep on your back. The logic behind switching to back sleeping can be traced directly to the laws of gravity, since drool is most likely to come from your mouth when it’s angled downward.
But for some, changing up your sleeping position is easier said than done. Seeing as nearly 3 in 4 people sleep on their sides, side sleepers (and even stomach sleepers) may need to put in some practice to switch to back sleeping.
If you want to start sleeping on your back, it’s crucial to have a comfortable mattress that fits your preferences. Sleeping on your back may not be recommended for everyone (women who are sleeping while pregnant may find it difficult, for example), it’s a great start to help minimize drooling in your sleep.
Tip: Placing a pillow underneath your knees can ease tension on your lower back, smoothing the transition to sleeping on your back.
2. Prop Up Your Head
Whether you’re a back or side sleeper, getting a pillow with the right height can help minimize the chance of drooling in your sleep. A simple way to ease your sleeping position transition is by finding the right type of pillow for your new sleeping position.
However, research has shown that pillows with too high of a loft may increase pressure on your head and neck, negatively impacting cervical spine alignment, which is why it’s important to find a pillow with the correct loft for your needs. For example, back sleepers tend to do best with medium loft pillows made of materials like down or down alternative.
Tip: Many back sleepers prefer medium loft pillows that measure between 3 to 5 inches thick.
3. Stay Hydrated
Because your muscle activity slows while you’re asleep, your saliva production naturally decreases as well. This is what can lead to that oh-so-dreaded morning breath — but did you know that excess saliva production at night can also be a cause of drooling in your sleep?
Staying hydrated can help reduce the excess saliva production that causes drooling in your sleep. You should be aiming for 64 ounces of water during the day to stay hydrated, but you’ll also want to keep some water by your bed to quench your nighttime thirst.
Tip: To keep hydrated, Mayo Clinic recommends drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, or about 8 ounces every three hours.
4. Get a Mouthguard
Disclaimer: Talk to your dentist to figure out if a mouthguard could be the right choice for you.
A mouthpiece, also called a mouthguard or night guard, is a device that you put in your mouth at night to help with conditions like TMJ or teeth grinding. Although mouthguards may initially lead to increased drooling, over time, your mouth will adjust to the feeling and it may even help you control excess drooling in your sleep.
Generic mouthguards are available over the counter, but dentists are also able to make custom-fit mouthguards that may be more comfortable since they’re molded specifically to your mouth.
Tip: Opting for a custom-made mouthguard can help minimize discomfort and lead to decreased drooling over time.
5. Treat Your Allergies
Another common culprit of drooling in your sleep is one of the biggest annual irritations — allergies. Since learning how to sleep with a stuffy nose often leads to mouth breathing, allergies can actually increase the likelihood of drooling in your sleep.
Whether you have seasonal allergies or a sinus infection, allergist Neeta Ogden, M.D., says, “Respiratory allergies cause symptoms like nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, and itchy nose and eyes, and can be particularly bothersome at night.”
So if your allergies are a potential cause of your nighttime saliva situation, how can you stop drooling in your sleep? According to Ogden, you may want to give these ideas a try:
- Keep your pets out of your bed: Although sleeping with your dog or cat can be nice, their dander may be triggering your bedroom allergies.
- Use hypoallergenic sheets: Look for hypoallergenic bed sheet materials like silk, bamboo, TENCEL™, and cotton (Percale or Sateen).
- Use an air purifier: Air purifiers can help control the humidity in your home, which can otherwise be a breeding ground for dust mites and other allergens.
Tip: At-home allergy remedies like air purifiers, hypoallergenic bed sheets, and minimizing pet dander contact can help clear allergy symptoms that could be causing excess drooling at night.
6. Consider Medication
Disclaimer: Before considering taking any type of medication for this problem or any other, please consult your doctor.
In some situations, doctors may prescribe medication to help with drooling in your sleep. While not all medications require a prescription, there are common medical solutions that have helped people who drool in their sleep.
The two most popular medications taken to control sleep drooling are scopolamine and glycopyrrolate. In a study of patients who used scopolamine patches, researchers found that those who used the patch had a significant drooling reduction compared to those who didn’t use the patch. Another study conducted with glycopyrrolate tablets found that patients who took the tablets saw a noticeable reduction in drooling during the duration of taking the medication.
However, it’s important to note that taking medications like scopolamine and glycopyrrolate can have adverse side effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Itchy eyes
Tip: If you’re looking for a prescription method to help you stop drooling in your sleep, you should talk to your doctor to learn about the different options.
7. Look Into Injectable Treatments
Disclaimer: Talk to your medical provider before seeking injectable treatments.
Although botulinum toxin (Botox) is not an FDA-approved drooling treatment, it is rising in popularity as a potential solution to people’s drooling woes. The treatment works by injecting Botox into the salivary glands of a person’s face to paralyze the muscles, preventing the glands from functioning at their full potential.
While some studies have shown Botox to be an effective drooling solution, it’s important to remember that Botox is not an FDA-approved treatment for a drooling problem. Before getting injectable treatments like Botox, you should talk to your medical provider to see if it’s a good solution for you.
Tip: Keep in mind that treatment with Botox is not permanent and can be repeated approximately every six months.
8. Research Surgery
Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare provider to understand the full range of options and potential risks before considering surgery as a treatment for drooling.
In rare cases where drooling becomes a persistent issue that significantly impacts daily life, surgical interventions may be explored. One option is salivary gland surgery, which can help reduce excessive saliva production by removing or blocking certain glands.
While surgery for drooling can provide relief, it comes with potential risks and should only be pursued under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Tip: Surgery should always be considered a last resort. Try out other prevention tips before you spring for this option.
Choosing the Right Pillow to Prevent Drooling
Selecting the right pillow can be an important factor in minimizing drooling while you sleep. Here are some of Casper’s top picks for a well-aligned night’s sleep:
Down Pillow
An airy, all-natural down fill for plushy comfort.
Foam Pillow
Three layers of supportive foam contour to the shape of your neck for proper alignment.
Original Casper Pillow
A down-alternative pillow that's supportive with a touch of fluff.
For those who are prone to drooling, it’s best to research how to wash down and feather pillows, foam pillows, or down-alternative pillows, depending on your choice.
Sleep Comfortably with Casper
While drooling in your sleep can be frustrating, the cause of it can often be traced back to simple issues like allergies or your sleeping position. However, if you consistently find yourself waking up with an unwelcome surprise on your pillow, you may want to look into how to wash pillows properly and begin washing your pillow more often while you figure out a long-term solution. If you’ve got some pillows that have seen one too many nights, figure out what to do with old pillows besides tossing them.
Getting your best drool-free slumber starts with a great sleep environment. To get the sleep of your dreams, check out our collection of ergonomic mattresses and snooze-worthy pillows to get started.
