You wake up. The room is still dark. And there it is — a damp spot on your pillow.
Before you cringe or chalk it up to bad sleep hygiene, here’s the truth: drooling during sleep isn’t a sign of laziness or poor control.
It’s actually a quiet signal from your brain and body saying:
“We’re doing our job — even while you’re out.”
This common, often misunderstood phenomenon — known medically as nocturnal sialorrhea — is more than just a messy side effect of deep rest. It’s a window into how your nervous system, muscles, and oral health are working (or sometimes overworking) while you dream.
Let’s dive into what drooling really means — and why your brain might be proud of it.
🌙 Why Do We Drool While Sleeping?
During the day, swallowing is automatic. Your brain constantly monitors saliva levels and triggers tiny swallows every few seconds — so seamlessly, you never notice.
But at night? That system changes.
🔁 The Science Behind Nighttime Drooling
