Gina Johnson
Drooling is a common occurrence during sleep, and while it is not usually a cause for concern, it can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. In older people, frequent drooling may suggest weakening muscle control around the mouth and neck. This can be caused by various factors, such as sleep position, certain medications, or more serious conditions like sleep apnea or neurological disorders. Understanding the potential causes of drooling can help individuals and their doctors determine if treatment is necessary, ranging from simple remedies like adjusting sleep positions to medical interventions like speech therapy or, in severe cases, surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Occasional drooling is normal, but frequent drooling may indicate an underlying problem |
| Sleeping position | Sleeping on your back may reduce drooling, as gravity pulls saliva down toward the pillow when sleeping on your side or stomach |
| Mouth breathing | People who sleep with their mouths open, snore, or have sleep apnea may drool more due to breathing through their mouths |
| Nasal congestion | Blocked noses may cause mouth breathing, leading to increased drooling |
| Medication | Certain medications can cause excessive salivation and drooling as a side effect |
| Neurological conditions | Infections, neurological conditions, and other disorders can cause poor muscle control around the mouth, leading to drooling |
| Treatment | Treatments include mandibular devices, speech therapy, medication, botulinum toxin injections, and surgery |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping position
While drooling is a normal occurrence, it can sometimes be caused by an underlying condition. In many cases, however, the position in which a person sleeps can cause drooling. For instance, side and stomach sleepers are more likely to drool due to gravity pulling saliva down toward the pillow. This is especially true if they sleep with their mouth open. In contrast, when a sleeper lies on their back, gravity causes excess saliva to stay in the mouth or travel to the throat, reducing the likelihood of drooling.
If you are a side or stomach sleeper and have recently started drooling, it could be a result of a medical condition such as allergies, infections, or acid reflux. In such cases, changing your sleep position to sleeping on your back may help minimize drooling. Additionally, you can try to breathe through your nose by keeping your mouth closed while you sleep.
If you are unable to change your sleep position, you can try placing additional pillows along the sides of your body to help you stay on your back throughout the night. Side sleepers typically use thicker pillows, while back sleepers use thinner ones. Stomach sleepers may use a thin pillow or no pillow at all.
In more severe cases of drooling, mandibular devices can be worn in the mouth while sleeping to help reduce drooling by keeping the lips closed and the tongue and teeth in the correct position. Speech therapy can also help strengthen tongue and jaw muscles, improving stability and enabling better swallowing and breathing with the mouth closed.
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Weakened muscle control
Drooling is a common occurrence in many people, especially during sleep. However, frequent drooling in older adults may indicate weakened muscle control, specifically in the mouth and neck regions. This condition, known as hypersalivation, can be attributed to various factors, including:
Neurological Conditions:
Neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson's disease, can affect the nerves and muscles involved in swallowing and saliva control. These conditions can lead to excessive drooling, even during sleep. In such cases, speech therapy or medications that block nerve impulses to the salivary glands may be prescribed to reduce drooling.
Infections:
Certain infections, such as strep throat, mononucleosis, sinus infections, or tonsillitis, can also cause drooling by impacting the muscles and nerves in the mouth and throat.
Medications:
Certain medications, including antibiotics, antipsychotic drugs, and Alzheimer's treatments, can have excessive salivation and drooling as side effects. If you suspect your medication is causing drooling, consult your doctor before discontinuing or changing your prescription.
Sleep Position:
Sleeping on your back allows gravity to keep saliva in your mouth, while sleeping on your side or stomach increases the likelihood of drooling. Side and stomach sleepers with open mouths are even more prone to drooling. Adjusting your sleep position or using mouth tape can help reduce drooling.
While weakened muscle control is a significant factor in drooling among older adults, it is important to note that other factors, such as excessive saliva production, difficulty swallowing, or underlying health conditions, may also contribute to this issue. If you are concerned about excessive drooling, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
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Excess saliva
Drooling is a common condition that affects many people, including older adults. While it is not usually a problem, it can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. Occasional drooling is normal for most adults, but frequent drooling may be a cause for concern.
In older adults, frequent drooling may indicate weakening muscle control over the mouth and neck. This can lead to difficulty swallowing or controlling the lips and throat, resulting in drooling. In some cases, it may be due to the sleeping position, with side and stomach sleepers more prone to drooling as gravity pulls the saliva down. Sleeping with the mouth open can also increase the likelihood of drooling.
If you are concerned about excessive drooling, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. They can assess whether the drooling is a sign of an underlying condition and provide personalized advice or treatment options. Treatment for drooling can include speech therapy to improve tongue and jaw strength and stability, mandibular devices to keep the lips closed during sleep, or, in severe cases, surgery to reduce saliva production.
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Infections and neurological conditions
In addition to the causes mentioned previously, infections and neurological conditions can also cause drooling in older adults.
Infections
In some instances, infections can lead to drooling. This includes strep throat, mononucleosis, sinus infections, tonsillitis, and peritonsillar abscess, a condition in which tonsillitis spreads to the neck and chest. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), also known as chronic acid reflux, can also cause drooling. The symptom is called "waterbrash", where the mouth suddenly fills with saliva. This sudden, unexpected saliva production may lead to drooling if the affected person is speaking or eating.
Neurological Conditions
Drooling can be a symptom of neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease leads to decreased motor control, especially in the fine muscles of the face. As the disease progresses, drooling becomes more likely as swallowing, speaking, and maintaining jaw position become more difficult.
People with neurological conditions may be prescribed medication to stop drooling. These medications reduce drooling by blocking the nerve impulses to the salivary glands. However, they commonly produce side effects such as an overly dry mouth. In severe cases of hypersalivation, surgery may be recommended. A few types of surgery are used to treat drooling, including surgical removal of the salivary glands, alteration of salivary gland ducts, and reduction of nerve connections to salivary glands.
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Medication and surgery
While drooling is a normal occurrence during sleep, excessive drooling may indicate an underlying health issue. In some cases, medication or surgery may be recommended to reduce or eliminate this symptom.
Medication
Some medications can cause hypersalivation, leading to drooling. Medications for psychiatric disorders or Alzheimer's disease are known to have this side effect. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat infections that cause drooling, such as strep throat, mononucleosis, sinus infections, and tonsillitis. If you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux, your doctor may recommend medication to manage these symptoms and reduce drooling.
Surgery
Surgery is typically a last resort for treating drooling and is considered when other treatments have not been successful. It is usually recommended for people who experience severe and continuous drooling, particularly during waking hours. Surgical methods may include:
- Removal or alteration of the salivary glands
- Reduction of nerve connections to the salivary glands
- Rerouting the salivary ducts to the back of the mouth
- Submandibular duct excision
- Submandibular gland excision
Studies have shown that surgery for drooling can be effective, with up to 89% of people experiencing improvement. However, it is important to consider the potential risks and side effects of surgery. In some cases, multiple surgeries may be required due to post-operative complications.
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Frequently asked questions
Drooling in sleep is normal for old people, but frequent drooling may indicate a problem. This could be due to weak muscles around the mouth, throat or lips, or an inability to swallow effectively.
Drooling is caused by an excess of saliva in the mouth. This could be due to the person's sleeping position, with side and stomach sleepers more prone to drooling. It could also be a side effect of certain medications.
Treatments for drooling include speech therapy, mandibular devices, and in severe cases, surgery.
Frequent drooling can be caused by underlying health issues such as infections, neurological conditions, or other issues like sleep apnea, snoring, or nasal congestion.
