# How Do I Stop Myself From Drooling While I Sleep? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 27, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409 "2002-03-27T17:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/1 "2002-03-27T17:52:16Z")
Is there any way to prevent me from drooling all over myself while I sleep? I usually wake up in a puddle of saliva . Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/2 "2002-03-27T20:25:18Z")
YMMV but I find I drool when I am overtired, or sick. Are you getting good rest? Try a different pillow, and make sure you are getting good support and ventilation in your room for the best possible sleep. I would limit the caffeine after supper too. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/3 "2002-03-27T22:33:01Z")
I drool, too, but I don’t drool when I sleep on my back. Then I snore. - Podkayne is swamped by male Dopers driven wild by her raw sexuality. \* ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/4 "2002-03-28T04:52:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > **Then I snore…driven wild by her raw sexuality.** There is something incongruent about the about snoring and raw sexuality. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/5 "2002-03-28T11:29:05Z")
I drool too, and I don’t think I used to when I was younger though I can’t say when I started. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/6 "2002-03-28T13:45:04Z")
Probably when senility set in 🙂 Another factor could be a stuffed up nose, forcing you to breathe through your mouth. ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/7 "2002-03-28T18:45:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Surreal \* > \*\*Is there any way to prevent me from drooling all over myself while I sleep? I usually wake up in a puddle of saliva . > > Thanks. \*\* two words: **“Duck” Tape** ---
**Author:** ![bhb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ab992/32.png) [@bhb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bhb)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/8 "2002-03-28T19:03:08Z")
dont you mean duct tape? or by duck tape are you making some pun i’ve obviously not caught on to? 😃 i also agree sleeping on your back stops drool, although sometimes if too much saliva builds up in your mouth you’ll flip on your side in sleep and it all comes out, heh. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/9 "2002-03-28T19:13:44Z")
My drool is also always freezing cold too. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/10 "2002-03-28T20:09:35Z")
I may be obvious, but it eventually worked for me (I used to drool): Keep your mouth closed. ---
**Author:** ![Mole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/11 "2002-03-28T23:09:09Z")
And if you can’t keep your mouth closed, you might want to try using some type of first aid cloth tape. Less painful upon removal than duct tape. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/12 "2002-03-28T23:19:59Z")
I tried the duct tape a few times already, and it wasn’t that hard to remove. The problem is that I somehow manage to peel it off in my sleep, without ever being conscious of what I’m doing. I just wake up with a drenched pillow and a piece of duct tape in my hair. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/13 "2002-03-28T23:43:49Z")
I have somewhat small nasal passages, so I’m a “mouth breather”… I used to drool in my sleep but I don’t as much anymore. I do snore and always have. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/14 "2002-03-28T23:56:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Surreal \* > \*\*I tried the duct tape a few times already, and it wasn’t that hard to remove. The problem is that I somehow manage to peel it off in my sleep, without ever being conscious of what I’m doing. I just wake up with a drenched pillow and a piece of duct tape in my hair. \*\* Im sorry but this scene is funny as hell. Might make a cool song. Instead of “you are the wind beneath my wings” it could be “You are the duct tape in my hair” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/15 "2002-03-29T00:51:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kniz \* > There is something incongruent about the about snoring and raw sexuality. Jeepers, next thing you know, you’re gonna try and tell me that the thought of a woman lying in a cold puddle of her own drool doesn’t make you horny. I guess there’s no accounting for taste . . . ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/16 "2002-03-29T01:09:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Surreal \* > **Is there any way to prevent me from drooling all over myself while I sleep? I usually wake up in a puddle of saliva.** Yeah. Stop dreaming about Jennifer Connelly. ---
**Author:** ![Nonny\_Mouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5e9695/32.png) [@Nonny\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonny_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/17 "2002-03-29T01:48:11Z")
You could always have your salivary glands removed… I know. Not helpful, Nonny. Shut up, Nonny. Nonny ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/18 "2002-03-29T02:37:22Z")
Just stay up. You can sleep when you’re dead. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/19 "2002-03-29T07:36:01Z")
I only drool while sleeping when I’m extremely exhausted or after sleep deprivation… ---
**Author:** ![Swirdle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Swirdle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swirdle)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409/20 "2002-03-29T07:58:25Z")
If you sleep on a ‘flat’ pillow that won’t tilt your head it will help. A block of foam may not be all that hygienic (but is a pillow?), but if you cut out (with an electric bread/carving knife) a notch for your neck your head won’t be able to drain so easily. Or you could try wearing an Alice-band to gently strap up your chin and prevent ‘relaxation mouth gape’… not one which is too tight for you to be able to open your mouth if needed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-myself-from-drooling-while-i-sleep/100409.md?page=2)