Vishal Mehta Vishal Mehta Asked 4 months ago

Why do people drool while they sleep?

My brother-in-law often wakes up with a wet pillow because he drools a lot while sleeping. He finds it quite embarrassing. I wanted to understand why people drool during sleep.

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7 answers

Priya Rao Priya Rao Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago
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Often it's just due to sleeping position, like on your side or stomach, when your mouth is slightly open. If it's bothering you or impacting hygiene, try changing your sleeping posture. Otherwise, it's usually harmless.

Rajesh Kumar Rajesh Kumar Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Initially, I thought it was normal, but my excessive drooling was a symptom of sleep apnea, which was actually quite serious. It's always best to consult a doctor if it's frequent or accompanied by other issues like snoring or fatigue.

Sarla Devi Sarla Devi Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

Beta, many people do this, especially if they are sleeping very soundly or on their side. Sometimes a blocked nose can also make you breathe through your mouth. Try to sleep on your back, or put a small pillow under your head. For blocked nose, warm water gargle or steam can help.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Neeta Desai Neeta Desai Joined May 2026 4 months ago

For mild drooling, trying to sleep on your back can help, or even using a slightly higher pillow. Sometimes staying hydrated also helps with overall saliva consistency. But if it's constant or you have trouble breathing, then please go see a doctor, don't take risks.

Vivek Malhotra Vivek Malhotra Joined Feb 2026 4 months ago

It's mostly because your facial muscles relax when you sleep deeply, and if you're a side sleeper, gravity pulls the saliva out. If it's not causing any discomfort or hygiene issues, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

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Siddharth Verma Siddharth Verma Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

My son used to drool a lot, especially when he was really tired. His pediatrician said it's common in deep sleep. We just make sure he sleeps on his back sometimes and change his pillow covers often. If it's excessive or they have a blocked nose, then worth checking with the doc once.

Ananya Reddy Ananya Reddy Joined Jul 2026 3 months ago

Our body has its own ways of functioning. Sometimes when we are in deep rest, the muscles relax completely. Just try to keep your mind calm before sleep and ensure good hygiene. If you feel any discomfort or unease, it's always wise to seek guidance from a medical expert.

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