Thread: I experience my teeth falling out frequently, any ideas why?

Hi, so I honestly have been lucid dreaming since I was about 18 (I'm 21 now), but I've also experienced dream control since I was 10 years old.
Currently I've been having these terrible lucid dreams where my teeth are falling out and I can really feel all the gaps and hard toothy parts in my mouth (in my dream) and I feel myself trying to spit my teeth out. Sometimes there is a flow of teeth, more than I know I have in my mouth, but they keep breaking off from the gums, it's such a disgusting feeling to have!
I know I've been quite stressed when I have this particular dream, but does anyone have any suggestions for why teeth and stress are so interrelated in dreams? What in my brain is signaling to me to feel that my teeth are coming out?

Well, the only thing I can really suggest is that grinding your teeth while stressed is a very common thing. Alot of people do it during there sleep, and its really not good for you, in fact it can eventually lead to some really bad dental problems, even to the point where they get so worn down they begin to chip/break away.

Perhaps this is happening and somehow its slipping into your dreams, or even your subconscious is just somehow just using that as a symbol for stress. More often then your dreams represent some sort of abstract symbol, so its probably not that simple. Im sure it could be plenty of other things.. but the first thing that came to mind was grinding teeth due to stress.

If you know someone who lost their teeth or went through some radical/painful dental surgery it may just be a form of a nightmare, really hard to say.. sorry I cant be of any real help. Symbols have very different meanings to different people.

Originally Posted by SLF4412986

Hi, so I honestly have been lucid dreaming since I was about 18 (I'm 21 now), but I've also experienced dream control since I was 10 years old.
Currently I've been having these terrible lucid dreams where my teeth are falling out and I can really feel all the gaps and hard toothy parts in my mouth (in my dream) and I feel myself trying to spit my teeth out. Sometimes there is a flow of teeth, more than I know I have in my mouth, but they keep breaking off from the gums, it's such a disgusting feeling to have!
I know I've been quite stressed when I have this particular dream, but does anyone have any suggestions for why teeth and stress are so interrelated in dreams? What in my brain is signaling to me to feel that my teeth are coming out?

I think seeing the dentist/toothache is the most unwelcoming thought on most people's minds. So it's become an icon of trouble and therefore stress related in dreams.

IMJ

I can't really offer much in terms of reason why,
but I can assure you that you're not the only one.
I have these types of dream fairly frequently myself (but not while I'm lucid)
They don't appear during a particular time of stress, rather thye just pop up randomly.

The feeling is horrible though, and I'm always relieved to rush to the mirror in the morning to see that they're all there.

Dreams about teeth are actually quite common and usually represent some form of anxiety/stress.

A more lengthy explanation:

One theory is that dreams about your teeth reflect your anxiety about your appearance and how others perceive you. Sadly, we live in a world where good looks are valued highly and your teeth play an important role in conveying that image. Teeth are used in the game of flirtations, whether it be a dazzling and gleaming smile or affectionate necking. These dreams may stem from a fear of your sexual impotence or the consequences of getting old. Teeth are an important feature of our attractiveness and presentation to others. Everybody worries about how they appear to others. Caring about our appearance is natural and healthy.

In my dream lexicon it says it´s becuse of fear/anxiety or a fear of dying/aging.

I've always assumed it is because you brush your teeth right before bed. It is a very common thing for people to dream about. Think about it, you spend 5 minutes right before sleeping in front of the mirror staring at your teeth. Brush, floss, mouth wash, the whole time thinking "I better take care of my teeth so they don't fall out. Don't let those teeth rot and fall out."

That is exactly how I incubate dream content.