Sometimes that damp patch is simply the imprint of deep rest. When your jaw slackens in sleep or you tuck your face into the pillow, saliva can escape more easily. If it’s familiar, occasional, or tied to exhaustion or a cold, it’s often nothing more than your body slipping fully into relaxation and letting go for a few hours.
But when something shifts—drooling that’s new, heavier, or mostly on one side—it can quietly point to more. Congested sinuses, reflux creeping up at night, irritated gums, or subtle changes in swallowing can all leave their trace on the fabric beneath your cheek. If it arrives with snoring, a sour taste, coughing, or difficulty handling saliva when awake, it’s worth bringing to a doctor. Paying attention doesn’t mean panicking; it means choosing clarity over guessing, and replacing unease with calm, informed care.
