We have all drop saliva on our pillow at one point or another. This situation happens to some people on a regular basis. But the question is why do we sometimes drop it?
In this article, I will be sharing why we drop it and what to do to stop it. But first of all, what is it called?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, when one let saliva out of one's mouth, it is called ''drool.''
Like I said earlier, this situation is completely normal because we all drool on our pillow at one time or another. But when this phenomenon occurs regularly and excessively, then it could be a sign of a developing disease.
When drooling occurred regularly and excessively it could also be the result of nasal congestion or even a sign of a neurological disorder. Simply put, it could be a sign of nerves disorder.
Causes of drooling: Apart from the aforementioned causes, I will be sharing 4 most common causes of drooling.
1. Excessive saliva in the mouth: Diets in high acidic content often cause excessive saliva production.
2. Some drugs Increase saliva production: Some drugs can increase the production of saliva in the mouth. Some drugs also cause difficulty in swallowing or lead to problems with muscle control around the mouth. So, if you drool pay attention to what you eat and the drugs you take.
3 Pregnancy: Pregnancy also increases the amount of saliva in some women's mouths which lead to drooling.
4 Medical conditions: Some medical conditions cause loss of facial muscle control. Such conditions are Neurologic, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or stroke. These conditions may cause muscle weakness that affect the ability to close the mouth properly or to swallow saliva while asleep.
If you suspect your situation could be medical related, please seek a medical assistant. But if your situation is not medical related, these are what you can do to stop it.
1. Change your sleeping position: If you normally sleep in a position that allows gravity to pull out the saliva in your mouth then change your sleeping position. Research has shown that people that often sleep on their side or belly have the highest chance of drooling. But sleeping on your back will keep all the saliva in your mouth.
2. Use an oral device to stop drooling: There are special devices that stop the saliva from coming out from your mouth when you sleep. So look for one and use it, but first of all, consult your dentist. Your dentist can get the right size that can fit you.
3. Make sure your medicine is not the problem: If your body is producing too much saliva while on medication, it is a sign that your body is reacting to such drugs. So if you are taking any medicine, make sure that the side effect is not drooling.
4. Keep your head up: Elevating your head during your sleep will help you from drooling. So make sure you use a pillow and be convenient while lying on it.
5. Clear your sinuses: According to research, one of the main causes of drooling is blocked nose. When your nose is blocked, it won't allow any air in so you will only have to breathe through your mouth and that gives saliva a passage out of your mouth. So clear your sinuses, this is as easy as blowing your nose before heading to bed
6. Hot shower before bedtime will help you breathe normally throughout the night.
Follow these steps to sleep soundly and wake up to a fresh dry pillow every morning.
Which of these ways to control drooling did you think is more efficient?