What Causes Slight Drooling From the Corners of the Mouth While Awake?

When you’re awake, your mouth naturally produces saliva that you usually swallow without noticing. However, if your swallowing isn't frequent enough—perhaps because you’re talking, focused on other tasks, or experiencing minor muscle or nerve imbalances—saliva can pool in the corners of your mouth, leading to drooling. Even slight changes in how the salivary glands work or how well your muscles control the movement of saliva may contribute to this issue. In some cases, mild neurological changes, such as those seen in early Parkinson’s disease, can affect the swallowing reflex, but slight drooling doesn’t always mean there is a serious problem. If the drooling is only slight and not causing discomfort or problems, it’s usually nothing to worry about. However, if you notice an increase in drooling or other symptoms, it might be a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider to look into possible underlying causes.