What Strategies Can Help Stop Drooling While Awake?

To help control drooling while you're awake, a number of approaches can be useful. First, self-management techniques such as practicing frequent swallowing exercises or oromotor training (often guided by a speech or occupational therapist) can strengthen the muscles involved in saliva control. Maintaining an upright head and neck posture may also reduce saliva pooling. Behavioral strategies, like being mindful of keeping your lips closed and swallowing more regularly, can help manage excess saliva. In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend medications that lower saliva production or even treatments like botulinum toxin injections to target overactive salivary glands. Research in both children and adults, including those with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or motor neuron disease, has shown that a combination of these interventions can be effective. By working with your healthcare team to tailor a plan based on the cause and severity of your drooling, you can find a strategy that improves your quality of life and reduces the inconvenience of drooling while awake.