Is Drooling a Sign of Sleep Apnea?

Whether they admit it or not, millions of people drool while they sleep. Some do it every time they close their eyes, and for others, it only happens if they’re dealing with a cold. However, for a small and unlucky group, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. If you or a loved one regularly drools each night, how can you tell whether it’s innocuous or a sign of a serious sleep disorder?

Sleep Apnea & Drooling

Drooling is a result of someone primarily breathing through their mouth while they sleep, allowing saliva to pool and escape onto the pillow. This can stem from someone’s sleeping position, blocked sinuses, GERD, or side effects from medication.

However, if someone consistently drools and experiences symptoms like loud, chronic snoring, persistent exhaustion, and waking up in the middle of the night choking or feeling out of breath, this may point to sleep apnea.

With sleep apnea, the upper airway becomes blocked throughout the night, causing repeated disruptions in the sleep cycle that prevent someone from getting the restorative rest they need. Because of the frequent blockage, a person may breathe through their mouth as they sleep, which increases the chances of drooling.

What You Can Do About It

 If you tend to drool while you sleep but wake up feeling fully rested and energized, then there’s likely nothing to stress about. Just make adjustments based on the causes mentioned above.

However, if the signs of sleep apnea sound familiar, then you need to get professional treatment as soon as possible. While drooling is harmless, sleep apnea is proven to greatly increase the risk of hypertension, cardiac events (heart attack and stroke), as well as multiply the chances you’ll be in a motor vehicle or workplace accident.

Thankfully, many patients may find the solution at a familiar place—the dentist.

How Dentists Can Help with Sleep Apnea (& Drooling)

While CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea, more and more people are opting for oral appliance therapy. For this, a dentist designs a small mouthpiece a patient wears to bed, and this slightly adjusts the jaw forward so that the airway remains open throughout the night. This allows the person to breathe normally and sleep deeply, and it can also help reduce drooling by encouraging nasal breathing.

A little drool in the morning is annoying, but exhaustion and fogginess are real concerns. With the help of a sleep dentist, a dry pillow is only one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy for years to come.

About the Author

Dr. David M. Weinman is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine who completed his residency at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Over the course of his career, he has helped countless patients take control of their sleep and regain their energy using custom-made oral appliances. If you’re tired of being tired, you can schedule a sleep apnea screening and consultation with Dr. Weinman at his Westfield practice by clicking here or calling (908) 654-7200.