What did I do wrong...?

So last night I was having an anxiety dream about having my teeth fall out (All this is in my DJ if it needs clarification) and during this dream I started thinking to myself, "This isn't right, I think I'm dreaming." Even though I've only had 3 lucid dreams, that's usually all it takes for me to jolt into lucidity. But I didn't. So I said aloud, "Am I dreaming?" and tried to do a reality check, but it didn't work. There was no shift of consciousness and I couldn't complete the reality check for some reason. I was trying to look at my hand, but I never looked far enough down to actually see my hand, if that makes sense. I had been practicing this while awake for a few days. Even though I was so sure I was dreaming, I stayed non-lucid and assumed it wasn't a dream at all. Then when it dawned on me that I really didn't know anyone in the dream, it just abruptly ended and I woke up.

What did I do wrong? Has this happened to anyone else? That was a strange and frustrating experience. When I woke up I actually checked to make sure I still had my teeth! Then in the next (also non-lucid) dream I went through some elaborate manhunt to find the people responsible for me not being able to become lucid in the last dream, and taking away people's dream powers.

This happens to everybody from time to time. I've had this happen to me many times before, but don't try to get frustrated. Just be more aware in your waking life and try to notice all of the little things. To help the DILD techneque and such. Also, get a lot of sleep. About 7 or 8 hours will work. Just be confident and excited the next time you dream.

How many times has this happened to me?

Thanks guys. I had never heard of that happening to anyone, wasn't sure what to think. I'll definitely keep working at it.. I usually get 8-10 hours of sleep or more if I don't have to be anywhere the next day, I love to sleep. I usually wouldn't have been that frustrated but I've been trying so hard lately to train myself and I was so close I could taste it.

Also, try not to do mindless reality checks during the day. Really question reality. If I'm just doing a quick check and moving on it doesn't give the full effect.

I agree. At first it was pretty mindless... but after doing it a couple times I really started to pay attention. When I think about it I stop, look at my hand, and honestly question if there's a possibility that I'm dreaming. I think about how I got to where I am, what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, if I'm with other people I think about how likely it is for me to be doing what I'm doing with them, etc.

I'm hoping this really helps because in the past I've found it hard to devote time to reality checks or I've been too busy to remember, and I spent most of my effort right before bed. But after doing this for just a week, I've already done a reality check in my dream. It wasn't successful but at the same time, I've never done that before I was lucid. It was just disappointing to do the reality check and nothing happen, lol.