How can I stop the corners of my mouth from drooling?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Drooling from the corners of the mouth can be reduced by either lowering saliva production or improving the muscle control that keeps saliva in the mouth. Common, effective treatments include botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the salivary glands and prescription medications such as glycopyrrolate or scopolamine. In some cases, speech therapy, oral motor exercises, or surgical options may also help. The best treatment depends on the underlying cause, which can range from neurological conditions to dental or sinus issues.

Because drooling has many possible causes, identifying the right one is the key to stopping it. Instead of guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to get a clearer picture of what may be driving your symptoms and what steps to take next. It only takes a few minutes and can help you have a more productive conversation with your doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Find causes of mouth corner drooling See if corner drooling needs care Discover what’s behind your mouth drooling Find OTC relief for dry cracked corners Find a doctor for mouth corner issues Explore home remedies for cracked mouth corners Understand if drooling signals a serious cause

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Explanation

Drooling at the corners of your mouth can happen when too much saliva is made or when the muscles that help you swallow aren't working well. One treatment option is to use botulinum toxin (often called Botox) injections, which help by reducing the signals to your salivary glands so they make less saliva. Some adults with mouth drooling from neurological conditions have seen improvements with this treatment. Another option is taking medications that help lower saliva production. In some cases, working with a speech or occupational therapist might help strengthen the muscles around your mouth to better control saliva. These steps can make it easier to keep saliva inside your mouth instead of it pooling at the corners. If drooling is causing you distress or problems, you can check your symptoms to better understand what might be causing this and learn which treatment might be best for you.

(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.
Chen CR, Su YC, Chen HC, Lin YC. Botulinum Toxin for Drooling in Adults with Diseases of the Central Nervous System: A Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Jul 6;11(13):1956. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11131956. PMID: 37444790; PMCID: PMC10341342.
Bittmann S, Luchter E, Bittmann L, Moschuring-Alieva E, Villalon G. Current Aspects of Treatment Options of Chronic Sialorrhea in Children. J Clin Med Res. 2022 Jun;14(6):246-249. doi: 10.14740/jocmr4766. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PMID: 35836725; PMCID: PMC9275433.

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