Waking up to a wet spot on your pillow can be embarrassing, but occasional drooling during sleep is usually nothing to worry about.
Experts say it can happen when you sleep deeply, particularly if you sleep on your side or stomach, since gravity makes it easier for saliva to escape from your mouth.
However, if you find yourself waking up with a soaked pillow regularly, especially if this is a new development, it may be worth paying attention. Frequent nighttime drooling can be connected to mouth breathing caused by allergies, colds or nasal blockages. It can also occur alongside sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Doctors also point to other possible causes, including teeth grinding, problems with the way the teeth meet, certain medications and difficulties with swallowing. In rare cases, persistent drooling combined with swallowing problems or other neurological symptoms can be associated with conditions affecting the nervous system.
