Why do we drool when we sleep
In many people's minds, drooling is not a problem. However, if an adult drools frequently during sleep, it should not be ignored. Instead, it should serve as a warning sign of certain diseases.
Causes of drooling during sleep
Drooling during sleep is a common occurrence. So what causes drooling during sleep? Let's take a look.
1. Dental problems
Malformed teeth can cause drooling during sleep. Especially in patients with protruding teeth, the front teeth protrude more prominently, causing the lips to have difficulty completely covering the front teeth, resulting in drooling during sleep. It is best for such patients to correct their teeth as soon as possible.
Dental problems can cause drooling during sleep
2. Oral hygiene
Drooling during sleep with a salty taste and a light yellow color on the pillow could be due to poor oral hygiene, accumulation of food residue, and excessive accumulation of dental calculus, leading to gum inflammation and even slight bleeding. Therefore, drooling during sleep with a salty taste and a light yellow color is likely a result of poor oral hygiene.
The mouth is the most suitable environment for bacterial reproduction due to its temperature and humidity. Accumulation of food residue or sugar substances on the gaps and surfaces of teeth can easily lead to bacterial reproduction in the mouth, causing tooth decay and periodontal diseases, which can increase saliva secretion.
If the mouth is infected by bacteria, it can cause pain and drooling. In this case, local treatment is necessary.
3. Nerve disorders
Some systemic diseases can also cause drooling during sleep. The regulation of saliva secretion is completely reflexive. For example, the sight and smell of food can stimulate reflexive saliva secretion. Therefore, if there is a disorder in the neural regulation, drooling during sleep can occur. Some patients with systemic diseases that may cause autonomic nervous system disorders may experience excessive parasympathetic nerve excitement during sleep, which can lead to increased saliva secretion due to the brain sending incorrect signals.
4. Medication
One of the side effects of certain anti-epileptic drugs is drooling. It is important to pay attention to the choice of medication.
5. Weak spleen function
The spleen plays a role in digesting and absorbing nutrients and water. Dysfunction of the spleen can lead to drooling during sleep and may also result in nutritional disorders, phlegm production, or even bleeding. In general, drooling in adults can be seen as a manifestation of spleen and stomach dysfunction. This condition is often caused by weakened gastrointestinal motility, water stagnation, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, or food descending into the stomach or rising as stomach heat, which is known as "discomfort in the stomach leads to unrest during sleep".
6. Incorrect sleeping position
If we sleep in an incorrect position that compresses the cheeks, it can prevent our lips from closing properly, resulting in drooling.
What does drooling during sleep indicate?
1. Oral inflammation
Oral inflammation can promote saliva secretion, causing pain and drooling. Typically, after treating the inflammation, the drooling will disappear on its own.
2. Facial nerve neuritis
After exposure to cold or experiencing cold wind or a cold, drooling during sleep may occur. Patients with this condition often have symptoms such as incomplete eye closure and crooked mouth corners, and should seek early treatment.
3. Excessive mental exertion
When a person experiences excessive mental exertion, extreme fatigue, or takes certain medications, it can cause dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, leading to excessive parasympathetic nerve excitement during sleep, resulting in drooling. In this case, it is important to rest more, adjust the physical and mental state, and avoid various diseases caused by decreased immunity.
4. Precursor to stroke
If drooling occurs suddenly during sleep, and after waking up and smiling in front of a mirror, one notices a crooked mouth corner or experiences headaches, it indicates a higher possibility of stroke. In this situation, it is important not to take it lightly and seek immediate medical examination to prevent future problems.
5. Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis can cause cerebral and muscular ischemia and hypoxia, resulting in facial muscle relaxation. Combined with weakened swallowing ability in the elderly, it can lead to drooling during sleep. If an elderly person drools during sleep, even without symptoms such as crooked mouth corners and incomplete eye closure, they should seek medical examination promptly.
