If you drool in your sleep, it’s a signal your body is giving you

 

You open your eyes, still a little foggy, and there you have it… surprise: your pillow is damp, as is your cheek. A little embarrassing, right? Yet, this little nighttime annoyance is more common—and more revealing—than you might think. What if, far from being a problem, it was actually a positive signal sent by your body? Let’s take a closer look at a phenomenon that’s as natural as it is intriguing.

Drooling while sleeping: a sign of deep sleep?

It may be hard to believe, but yes: drooling at night can be proof that you’re sleeping… soundly! When we enter the most restorative stages of sleep, our body relaxes completely, including the muscles in our face. As a result, saliva no longer flows naturally down our throat, and can end up on our pillow. Reassuring, right? It’s as if your body is telling you, “You’re finally getting the rest you need!”

A story of position (and gravity)

Do you sleep on your stomach or side? It’s the perfect position… for drooling. Gravity plays a very simple role here: it pulls saliva outward. Conversely, sleeping on your back often helps prevent this effect, as you subconsciously swallow more easily.

Changing your sleeping habits isn’t easy, but trying to fall asleep on your back—with a suitable pillow—may be enough to limit nighttime discharge. Here’s a little extra advice: an ergonomic pillow can greatly help you adopt this new posture.

A blocked nose? And there’s the culprit!
Another common—and less pleasant—cause of nighttime drooling is simply mouth breathing due to a blocked nose. Whether it’s a passing cold, allergic rhinitis, or a mild sinus infection, when air can no longer pass through the nose, the mouth takes over. And an open mouth means unattended saliva…

A few simple steps to avoid this:

A seawater-based nasal spray before going to bed
Steam inhalations or nasal washes
A humidifier to prevent the mucous membranes from drying out
A clear nose often means a dry pillow when you wake up!

Too much saliva? Yes, it’s possible…

Some people naturally produce more saliva than others. But this excessive saliva production can also be triggered by:

Certain medications (such as antihistamines or antidepressants)
Gastroesophageal reflux, often subtle
Meals that are too rich or too late
If you notice that the phenomenon is frequent, it may be useful to have a quick check-up with a healthcare professional. Nothing to worry about, but it is better to understand what your body is telling you (or “expressing” to you, in this specific case).