What You Need To Know When You Notice Saliva On Your Pillow After Sleeping

 

It might be really unsettling to wake up with your own spit on your pillow. Worry is warranted because saliva is an indicator of underlying health problems. In this piece, we’ll talk about why you might be drooling on your pillow and what you can do about it so your mouth stays healthy.

In what ways does saliva play a role in our bodies?

Saliva is a transparent, liquid material secreted by glands in the mouth, as described by verywellhealth. It’s important for your oral and general health and plays a pivotal role in both. Saliva does double duty: it neutralises the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth and keeps your mouth feeling nice and moist. Tooth decay and gum disease can be avoided in this way.

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According to healthline Enzymes present in saliva aid digestion and aid in the fight against infection. Protecting your teeth and gums from harmful microorganisms and keeping your mouth in a healthy balance is impossible without it.

Why do you drool all over your pillow?

The reasons for spit on your pillow might range from innocuous to dangerous. The most frequent explanations are:

It’s more likely that saliva will escape as you sleep and land on your pillow if you have a habit of sleeping with your mouth open. This is a common cause of saliva on the pillow and one that can be easily remedied by just keeping your mouth closed during sleep.

In order to compensate for the dryness of a parched mouth, your body may create more saliva if you’re dehydrated. This can cause you to drool excessively onto your pillow. Staying hydrated by drinking enough of water can help prevent this problem.

Inflammation and swelling in the throat brought on by allergies can make swallowing difficult. This can lead to a buildup of saliva that can be released while you’re dreaming. The use of antihistamines and other allergy therapies can help with this.

The disorder known as sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing is repeatedly disrupted while they are sleeping. As the body attempts to make up for the diminished oxygen supply, it may produce more saliva than usual. The use of a CPAP machine, or any other form of treatment for sleep apnea, can help with this problem.

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When stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus, it’s called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptoms like heartburn and chest pain are possible outcomes of this. Overproduction of saliva due to GERD can also result in wet sheets. This disorder can be controlled with the use of medication and behavioural modifications.

The tear and saliva glands are affected by the autoimmune condition known as Sjogren’s syndrome. Possible side effects include both dry mouth and excessive saliva production. This illness can be controlled with medication and other treatments.

Some different medical issues can cause you to produce an abnormal amount of saliva, which can end up on your pillow. Type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and several pharmaceuticals all fall into this category. If you are having excessive salivation and cannot pinpoint the cause to any of the above, it is recommended that you consult a medical professional.

If you wake up with saliva on your pillow, what do you do?

A few things can be done to keep your mouth healthy if you notice spit on your pillow when you wake up:

Don’t sleep with your mouth open; that increases the likelihood that saliva may escape and land on your pillow. You can avoid this problem by making a conscious effort to sleep with your mouth closed.

Avoid getting dehydrated, as this might increase saliva production and result in drool on your pillow. Staying hydrated by drinking enough of water can help prevent this problem.

If allergies or underlying problems like sleep apnea or GERD are to blame for your excessive saliva production, treating these conditions with medication or other therapies may help reduce your symptoms.

Maintaining good oral hygiene includes removing extra saliva by routinely washing your pillowcase and pillow.

If you suffer from dry mouth, which can be caused by breathing in dry air, a humidifier may be helpful. One effective way to prevent dry mouth is to use a humidifier in your bedroom.

To keep your mouth clean and stop your body from producing too much saliva, brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and use mouthwash.

If you are producing an abnormally large amount of saliva and have ruled out the aforementioned explanations, it is vital that you consult a medical professional to discover the root cause and explore treatment options.

Conclusion:

The presence of saliva on your pillow may indicate a more serious health problem. Saliva on your pillow can be avoided and excellent oral health maintained by identifying and treating the underlying cause of the problem and consistently engaging in appropriate oral hygiene practises. If the problem persists and you can’t pin it down, it’s best to consult a doctor for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

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