Did you know that drooling can be a common complication of sleep apnea? Everyone drools occasionally, but if you’re often waking up with wet spots on your pillow, it can be a sign of an untreated sleep disorder. Sleep apnea can cause mouth breathing, which will allow your saliva to leak from your lips. Here’s how sleep apnea therapy can help you breathe better and stop you from drooling.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the breathing disorder. When the soft tissues in your mouth and throat relax as you drift off to sleep, they can create an obstruction in your airway. This can cause you to stop breathing potentially hundreds of times per night, with each event lasting for a minute or more.
Every breathing disruption interrupts your sleep cycle, which can negatively affect your health, mood, and quality of life. With no treatment, sleep apnea can increase your risk of various serious health issues, including heart attacks, diabetes, and strokes.
Drooling and Sleep Apnea
Drooling and sleep apnea can go hand in hand because snoring is a common symptom of the breathing disorder. Loud, chronic snoring occurs as air passes over the tissues in the back of your mouth and throat. Sleep apnea narrows your air passage, which increases snoring.
Since snoring involves breathing with your mouth open, it can lead to drooling. Thankfully, your sleep dentist has the solutions you need to stop drooling and sleep better.
Options to Treat Sleep Apnea
A CPAP machine is a common method for treating sleep apnea. It delivers gentle air pressure through masking worn over the mouth or nose. This prevents breathing disturbances. Although it is effective, it can be bothersome for some patients.
As an alternative to a CPAP, you may be a candidate for an oral appliance. The custom-fit device positions your jaw and tongue to prevent them from obstructing the airway. This is an effective solution for treating mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliance can be used alone or along with a CPAP.
You can experience drooling when first using your oral appliance. The issue will subside as you become accustomed to sleeping with the device.
Better nights are possible with sleep apnea therapy. You will wake up feeling your best and won’t have to worry about drool stains on your pillow.
About Dr. Andrew M. Nawrocki
Dr. Nawrocki earned his dental degree from the University of Florida and has continued his education in many specialties, including sleep medicine and prosthodontics. He is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association. Request an appointment through our website or call our office at (386) 310-0130.