How to Stop Drooling at Night Naturally …8 Gentle Remedies
Waking up to a wet pillow from drooling can feel embarrassing and uncomfortable. While occasional drooling is normal, frequent saliva leakage during sleep might suggest an underlying issue—like poor sleeping posture, mouth breathing, or even acid reflux.
Thankfully, a variety of natural remedies can help reduce saliva production or improve how your body manages it overnight. Here’s how to wake up dry, rested, and refreshed.
1. Change Your Sleeping Position
Sleeping on your side or stomach makes you more likely to drool due to gravity pulling saliva from your mouth. Try switching to sleeping on your back, and use a supportive pillow to keep your head slightly elevated. This helps keep your mouth closed and reduces saliva leakage.
2. Encourage Nasal Breathing
Mouth breathing is one of the top causes of drooling. If your nose is blocked, you’re more likely to breathe through your mouth, which leads to drool.
Natural tips to promote nasal breathing:
- Use a saline nasal spray before bed.
- Try steam inhalation or take a warm shower to open airways.
- Run a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- If congestion is chronic, consult an ENT specialist.
3. Try Herbal Teas Before Bed
Some herbs have mild drying effects and support better sleep:
- Sage tea: Naturally reduces saliva production.
- Chamomile tea: Encourages calm and helps you keep your mouth closed while sleeping.
- Peppermint tea: Helps reduce nasal inflammation and promote easier breathing.
Drink these teas 1–2 hours before bed for the best effect.
4. Improve Oral Posture
Weak facial and tongue muscles can cause your mouth to fall open while you sleep. Practicing myofunctional therapy (tongue and oral exercises) can help:
Simple exercise:
Press your tongue gently against the roof of your mouth and hold for a few minutes, several times a day. This builds muscle tone and helps retrain your body to sleep with your mouth closed.
5. Avoid Trigger Foods at Night
Certain foods increase saliva production. Try to avoid these in the evening:
- Spicy or sour foods
- Citrus fruits
- Sugary snacks
- Carbonated drinks
Instead, eat a light, bland meal at least two hours before bed, and avoid late-night snacking.
6. Address Acid Reflux
GERD (acid reflux) is a sneaky cause of nighttime drooling. It can trigger excessive saliva as your body tries to neutralize stomach acid.
Natural ways to manage acid reflux:
- Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated
- Avoid trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic meals)
- Eat dinner earlier in the evening
- Try a small amount of aloe vera juice before bed (consult your doctor first)
7. Stay Hydrated—But Strategically
Dehydration can lead to thick saliva and a dry mouth, while overhydrating before bed might disrupt your sleep with bathroom trips.
Best practice: Drink plenty of water during the day but start reducing your intake after dinner.
8. Use Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Essential oils can help improve breathing and support deeper sleep:
- Eucalyptus or peppermint oil: Clear nasal passages
- Lavender oil: Promotes relaxation and better sleep posture
Diffuse these oils in your bedroom 30 minutes before bedtime to prepare your body and mind for rest.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While nighttime drooling is usually harmless, talk to a healthcare provider if:
- It persists despite natural remedies
- You also experience snoring, sleep apnea symptoms, or acid reflux
- You have difficulty swallowing or speaking during the day
Final Thoughts
Drooling at night may be common, but it doesn’t have to be your norm. With simple lifestyle tweaks—like sleeping on your back, breathing through your nose, and watching your diet—you can reduce or even eliminate the issue. Natural solutions work best with consistency, so give these tips time to make a difference.