Why Are You Biting Tongue In Sleep & How To Treat it!

Have you ever woken up with a sore tongue or even a cut on your tongue? If so, you may be surprised to learn that you were biting your tongue in your sleep! Though it may sound strange, this is a surprisingly common phenomenon. In fact, as many as 5% of people regularly bite their tongues while sleeping. This blog post will explore some of the most common causes of sleep-related tongue biting and what you can do to prevent it.

Why You Might Be Biting Your Tongue In Your Sleep

1. Bruxism

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen during the day or at night, and it’s more common than you might think—it’s estimated that 10-15% of adults suffer from bruxism. People who grind their teeth are more likely to bite their tongues while sleeping, as well as experience other sleep-related problems like sleep apnea. There are a few theories about why people grind their teeth, including stress, misaligned teeth, and the use of medications like antidepressants. If you think you might be grinding your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard to wear while you sleep. 

2. Hypnagogic jerk

Another reason why you may be biting your tongue in your sleep is because of a condition called hypnagogic jerk. Hypnagogic jerks are brief muscle spasms that occur when you’re falling asleep. They’re perfectly normal and usually aren’t something to worry about. However, if they’re frequent or intense enough to wake you up or cause pain, they may be a sign of an underlying medical condition like anxiety or restless leg syndrome. If you’re concerned about your hypnagogic jerks, talk to your doctor. 

3. Medication

Lastly, some people bite their tongues because of medications they’re taking.

Certain drugs can cause side effects like dry mouth, which can lead to increased thirst and the desire to drink more fluids before bedtime. Drinking too much fluid right before going to bed can cause you to wake up feeling the need to urinate—and if you doze off again before getting out of bed, you may end up biting your tongue! If this is a concern for you, talk to your doctor about changing medications. 

How to stop biting your tongue during sleep

If you’re biting your tongue during sleep, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it. First, avoid drinking fluids right before bedtime. If you’re taking medications that cause dry mouth, talk to your doctor about changing them. You may also want to try wearing a mouth guard at night if you think you’re grinding your teeth.

Lastly, if hypnagogic jerks are a problem for you, talk to your doctor about possible underlying causes and treatment options.

The Negative Effects of Bruxism on Your Tongue Health

A tongue tie is a condition in which the tongue is “tied” to the floor of the mouth by a band of tissue. This can make it difficult to move the tongue and may contribute to problems with eating, speaking, and even breathing.

What is Bruxism? 

Bruxism is a condition that describes the act of grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen during the day or at night and is often unconscious. Many people with bruxism do not realize they have it until they start to experience symptoms. 

Symptoms of Bruxism 

The most common symptom of bruxism is waking up with a headache or sore jaw. You may also notice that your teeth are sensitive or loose. If you grind your teeth at night, you may notice that your partner complains about the noise. 

How Does Bruxism Cause Tongue Tie? 

When you grind your teeth, you put a lot of pressure on your jaw muscles. This can cause the muscles to spasm and pull on the tissue that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth. Over time, this constant pulling can lead to tongue ties. 

Tongue tie can range from mild to severe. In mild cases, the tongue may only be slightly “tied” down, and you may not have any symptoms. In more severe cases, the tongue may be completely “tied” down, and you may experience difficulty moving it, eating, speaking, or even breathing. 

If you think you have bruxism or are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, please see your dentist or doctor for an evaluation. 

Bruxism is a condition that affects many people without them even realizing it. While it may not seem like a big deal, bruxism can actually lead to serious health problems like tongue tie. If left untreated, tongue tie can make it difficult to eat, speak, and even breathe properly. If you think you may have bruxism, please see your dentist or doctor for an evaluation so that proper treatment can be initiated as soon as possible.

Conclusion

If you’ve been waking up with a sore tongue or teeth, there’s a good chance that you’re biting your tongue in your sleep. Bruxism (teeth grinding) and hypnagogic jerks (muscle spasms that occur when falling asleep) are two of the most common causes of sleep-related tongue biting.

Medications can also play a role; certain drugs can cause side effects like dry mouth, which may lead to increased thirst and the desire to drink fluids before bedtime—increasing the risk of accidentally biting your tongue while asleep. If this is something that’s been happening to you, talk to your dentist or doctor about ways to prevent it.

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