Can Drooling at Night Be a Sign of Sleep Apnea?

If you have a tendency to drool while you’re asleep, there can be a number of possible explanations. For example, it could simply be the result of sleeping on your side, or it could be a side effect of certain medications. However, you may be surprised to learn that nighttime drooling can potentially be related to sleep apnea – an all-too-common sleep disorder that can have dire consequences when left untreated. Here’s a closer look at why drooling might be a sign of sleep apnea and what you should do to protect your health.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is when your breathing repeatedly stops and restarts while you’re asleep. This is often the result of the airway being partially or fully blocked in some manner. Untreated sleep apnea can make it difficult to get the rest that your body needs because each interruption in breathing can cause you to wake up briefly for air. As such, sleep apnea can often leave you feeling very tired during the day. On top of that, it can raise your risk for heart problems in the long term.

How Can Drooling Be Related to Sleep Apnea?

It’s very common for people with sleep apnea to breathe through their mouths. In fact, mouth breathing can potentially contribute to sleep apnea or make it worse. If your mouth is open for breathing during the night, it can make it easier for saliva to escape – hence why drooling might occur.

Is Your Nighttime Drooling Due to Sleep Apnea?

Of course, sleep apnea is far from the only possible explanation for drooling at night. That being said, your drooling may be related to sleep-disordered breathing if you’re also experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Snoring loudly.
• Waking up gasping for air.
• Having a headache or a sore throat when you wake up.
• Feeling excessively drowsy during the day.
• Having trouble focusing.

What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea?

If you think your nighttime drooling is related to sleep apnea, you should have a sleep study performed as soon as possible. An expert can evaluate the results of the study and determine whether you currently have sleep apnea. If you do, you can start exploring your treatment options.

While CPAP therapy is the traditional solution for sleep apnea, patients with mild or moderate sleep disordered breathing may instead benefit from wearing a personalized oral appliance. This device can change the position of the jaw or hold the tongue in place in order to prevent airway obstructions. Thanks to this approach, you won’t have to worry about using a bulky machine that might make too much noise for you to go to sleep.

In short, while drooling isn’t always related to sleep apnea, it’s best not to take any chances. If you have any reason to think you might have a sleep disorder, it’s essential to be proactive about getting the care you deserve so that you can enjoy a good night’s rest again.

About the Author

Dr. Fana opened the doors of Compass Dental in 2000 in order to bring patients in Savannah the quality dental care they deserve. He’s proud to offer a wide range of treatments under a single roof; this includes personalized oral appliances for patients with sleep apnea. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fana, visit his website or call (912) 352-3955.