Drooling in your sleep isn’t exactly a serious health issue, but it probably annoys you! Some individuals even feel embarrassed when they wake up to a moist pillow. It makes sense that you’d like to know what’s causing this problem and ruining your naptime experience. However, while it’s true that drooling is one symptom of sleep apnea, you can’t be diagnosed with saliva alone.
If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, keep reading. This post will describe other related symptoms and discuss how you can find relief.
Diagnosis and Other Symptoms
To be diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ll ultimately need to undergo a sleep test administered by a qualified medical professional. If they see that your breathing is periodically disrupted while you rest, then you have sleep apnea. These disruptions can cause some patients to sleep with their mouths open, which is why drooling sometimes occurs. Sleep apnea can also trigger:
- Snoring
- Frequent waking
- Headaches
- Difficulties focusing
- Daytime drowsiness
And much more!
Treatment Could Alleviate Drooling
If your chronic drooling is related to sleep apnea, then don’t worry – treatment can alleviate your nightly saliva problem. You might be familiar with a CPAP machine, which is more or less a breathing mask connected to a box. This is one effective treatment method, but a less cumbersome one is visiting your dentist for oral appliance therapy.
Basically, you’ll wear a customized nightguard that will shift your jaw and mouth tissues away from your airway, improving your ability to breathe while lying down. Many patients see results quickly and appreciate that their oral appliance is small, easily portable, and soundless.
Better Sleep Could Mean a Better You
Sleep apnea treatment could do more than just prevent your drooling episodes; it could help you sleep better. Imagine waking up to feel well-rested, clear-headed, and ready for the day ahead. If that sounds like heaven, it’s no small wonder! Studies show that a full night’s rest improves your mood and energy levels. To reap these benefits, remember to talk to your doctor and dentist about a sleep test and treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Jay A. Nelson is very active in the sleep dentistry field and is associated with many prestigious organizations. As a sleep dentist, he’s qualified to help patients with sleep apnea alleviate their symptoms through oral appliance therapy. If you think you might have sleep apnea and are tired of drooling every night, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Nelson for expert care! To contact his office, dial 813-733-4169.