Have you ever woke up from sleep with some white thin layer at the sides of your mouth? Everyone has once in his or her life time experienced drooling.
Drooling is whereby saliva comes out from one’s mouth uncontrollably especially during sleep. It is normal for babies to drool at any point in time but becomes embarrassing when an adult drool while asleep especially when he or she is not sleeping alone.
Drooling may naturally occur when a person sleeps as a result of relaxation of the facial muscles and swallowing reflexes. This is the reason why babies drool all the time because they cannot control their facial muscles and swallowing reflexes. It becomes dangerous and as a sign of a disease when drooling becomes excessive in adults.
Drooling may also occur in adults as a result of;
• Excessive secretion of saliva from the salivary glands
• Neurological or certain health conditions
• Medications
• Eating foods that are highly acidic
• Allergies
• Pregnancy
• Sleeping position
• Tonsillitis and
• Sinus infections
However, there are several ways with which drooling can be prevented to avoid any embarrassment. Here are some of the ways to prevent drooling while sleeping
• Sleeping position
The first thing to do to prevent drooling is to check your sleeping position. Sleeping on your stomach or sideways will eventually make you drool. If you are someone who drool excessively during sleep, then you will have to mostly sleep on your back. As a result of this, you can be able to control your muscles and reflexes to avoid drooling.
• Use a dental device
There’s a device which act as a mouth guard which closes your mouth and enable you to sleep peacefully without drooling. This device is popularly known as mandibular device.
• Check medications
Another way to prevent excessive drooling is to check whether it is as a result of the medications you are taking. Some medications have the attributes of producing more saliva in your body and this may lead to drooling. Quickly speak to your doctor if you see this happening.
• Check out for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition which mostly triggers drooling. Symptoms of sleep apnea could be difficulty in breathing while sleeping, loud snoring, drowsiness after waking up from sleep and sore throat coupled with dry mouths.
• Lemons and other citrus fruits
Lemons and other citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines help in preventing drooling while asleep. Lemons and citrus fruits in a whole are known to prevent excessive production of saliva in the body.
• Drink a lot of water
Drinking a lot of water may also help reduce or prevent drooling. Drinking more water makes you stay hydrated and reduces the amount of saliva production within the body.
• Clear your nose
Clearing your nose before bedtime also help prevent drooling. Clearing your nose removes any blockages that prevent you from breathing. Difficulty in breathing at night may cause you to breath through your mouth and this will allow drooling to occur.
If you realize that the drooling is as a result of a neurological condition, then consult your doctor to give you a medication to stop the drooling. At times, there might be the need for the doctor to do a surgery to remove the gland that is causing the excessive salivation
