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2. Mouth Breathing During Sleep
How Mouth Breathing Leads to Drooling
Breathing through the mouth—especially during sleep—can cause:
- Dry mouth
- Relaxed jaw muscles
- Open lips
When the mouth remains open, saliva has an easier path out, particularly during deep sleep.
Common Causes of Mouth Breathing
- Nasal congestion
- Allergies
- Deviated septum
- Chronic sinus problems
Many adults don’t realize they breathe through their mouth at night until symptoms like drooling, dry mouth, or sore throat appear.
3. Nasal Congestion and Sinus Issues
When Your Nose Is Blocked, Your Mouth Takes Over
Anything that interferes with nasal breathing increases the likelihood of drooling.
Common culprits include:
- Seasonal allergies
- Chronic sinusitis
- Colds or respiratory infections
- Nasal polyps
When your nose is blocked, your body automatically switches to mouth breathing—creating ideal conditions for drooling.
Why It Often Happens Suddenly
People often report nighttime drooling beginning during allergy season or after recurring sinus infections. Once nasal breathing is compromised, drooling may become a nightly issue.
4. Sleep Quality and Deep Sleep Stages
Drooling Happens More in Deep Sleep
During deep sleep:
- Muscle tone decreases
- Swallowing reflex slows
- Jaw muscles relax
This makes it easier for saliva to escape, especially if the mouth opens slightly.
People who:
- Are extremely exhausted
- Have irregular sleep schedules
- Experience rebound deep sleep
may drool more simply because their body is sleeping more deeply than usual.
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