Drooling (also known as salivation or, in a medical context, sialorrhea ) is the flow of saliva outside the mouth.

Drooling can be caused by excess production of saliva , inability to retain saliva within the mouth (incontinence of saliva), or problems with swallowing.

Saliva is the watery and usually frothy substance produced in and secreted from the three paired major salivary (parotid, submandibular and sublingual) glands and several hundred minor salivary glands, composed mostly of water, but also includes electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds, and various enzymes. Healthy persons are estimated to produce 0.75 to 1.5 liters of saliva per day. At least 90% of the daily salivary production comes from the major salivary glands while the minor salivary glands produce about 10%. On stimulation (olfactory, tactile or gustatory), salivary flow increases five fold, with the parotid glands providing the preponderance of saliva

You actually produce more saliva in a waking state, but you keep swallowing that, which you cannot do consistently when you’re in deep sleep. This often makes people ask, “Why do I drool when I sleep?” You need to know that a number of things can contribute to this situation.

Some people with drooling problems are at increased risk of inhaling saliva, food, or fluids into the lungs , mainly if drooling is secondary to a neurological problem.

However, if the body’s normal reflex mechanisms (such as gagging and coughing ) are not impaired, this is not life threatening.

Causes

A number of factors can contribute to this drooling which may include:

1. Side Sleep Posture

Are you a side sleeper? This may well be the answer to “Why do I drool in my sleep?”

It is often the result of open-mouth posture from CNS depressants intake or sleeping on one’s side. In sleep, saliva may not build at the back of the throat, triggering the normal swallow reflex, thus allowing for the condition.

2. Allergies or Poisoning

Your body may be producing excessive saliva due to allergic rhinitis, food allergy, poisoning especially pesticides and reaction to insect or snake venom. These conditions often result in excessive drooling. Sometimes severe allergy or poisoning can be a life-threatening situation, so it’s important to seek medical help in time if such allergies or poisoning occurs.

3. Dental problems.

Infections of the gum, teeth or teething can also contribute to this problem by increasing the production of saliva.

4. Neurological Disorders

You may find it difficult to manage saliva when you’re suffering from a neurological disorder. It could be due to cerebral palsy, facial paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Autism Down syndrome, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis.

5. Sinus Infection
The reason behind your swallowing and breathing problems may be a sinus infection. This may as well cause drooling while sleeping. You may also notice your condition becoming worse when you have flu – this blocks your nasal passage, making you breathe through your mouth and causing saliva to flow out of your mouth.

6.Tonsillitis

Tonsils are the glands present at the back of your throat. These glands sometimes become inflamed and restrict the drainage of accumulated saliva down your throat. This inflammation is called tonsillitis, which is a common cause for drooling when sleeping. You may also experience drooling due to strep throat.

Other causes includes:

Pregnancy side effects such as reflux or nausea
Diets high in acidic content.
Mononucleosis.
Anatomy of the mouth.
Certain medications.
Problems with swallowing- resulting in excess pooling of saliva in the anterior portion of the oral cavity e.g. lack of awareness of the build-up of saliva in the mouth, infrequent swallowing, and inefficient swallowing.

How to prevent drooling while sleeping.

First of all, you need to know the cause of it before looking for ways to prevent it. If it is as a result of health condition or medications, you need to consult your doctor.
You can follow the following steps to prevent drooling.

Sleep on your back
Prop your head back
Breath through your nose
Practise deep breathing
For Allergies-Take OTC allergy medications if your allergies are making it difficult to breathe through your nose. You can see an allergist to identify the best way to keep your nasal passages clear.

Keeping to these will ensure you do not flood your pillows with streams of saliva every morning.

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