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Published on: 7/15/2026
Why is saliva leaking from the corners of my mouth?
Saliva leaking from the corners of your mouth, known as sialorrhea or drooling, typically occurs for two main reasons: your body produces excess saliva (hypersalivation), or you're not swallowing it often enough. Common causes include weakened facial muscles, nerve-related conditions, poor lip closure, dental issues, acid reflux, or certain medications. In some cases, it may signal an underlying neurological condition affecting swallowing coordination.
Because drooling can stem from many different causes—some minor, some more serious—identifying the root issue is the fastest path to relief. Rather than guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and confidently navigate your next steps.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026
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Your mouth usually makes saliva to help with chewing and swallowing, and you swallow it without noticing. However, if something causes you not to swallow often enough or if the muscles around your mouth don't work properly, extra saliva can build up and leak from the corners of your mouth. This is described as sialorrhea.
Weakness in the muscles that close your lips, irregularities in nerve signals, or effects from certain medications can lead to this imbalance. Neurological conditions can also affect how well your body controls saliva, making drooling more likely to occur on the edges of your mouth.
Additionally, changes in the saliva glands themselves, or even conditions that alter the normal dryness or moisture in your mouth, may play a part. If you notice that saliva is regularly leaking from the corners of your mouth, it's important to identify what might be causing it. You can start by using a free AI symptom checker to help narrow down potential causes, then speak with a healthcare provider who can check for any underlying issues, such as problems with swallowing or nerve function, and help you find ways to manage the drooling.
(References)
Lakraj AA, Moghimi N, Jabbari B. Sialorrhea: anatomy, pathophysiology and treatment with emphasis on the role of botulinum toxins. Toxins (Basel). 2013 May 21;5(5):1010-31. doi: 10.3390/toxins5051010. PMID: 23698357; PMCID: PMC3709276.
Meningaud JP, Pitak-Arnnop P, Chikhani L, Bertrand JC. Drooling of saliva: a review of the etiology and management options. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006 Jan;101(1):48-57. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.08.018. PMID: 16360607.
Błochowiak K, Olewicz-Gawlik A, Polańska A, Nowak-Gabryel M, Kocięcki J, Witmanowski H, Sokalski J. Oral mucosal manifestations in primary and secondary Sjögren syndrome and dry mouth syndrome. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016 Feb;33(1):23-7. doi: 10.5114/pdia.2016.57764. Epub 2016 Feb 29. PMID: 26985175; PMCID: PMC4793060.
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