Why Do I Bite My Tongue When I Sleep?

There are many reasons why you may be biting your tongue while you are asleep. Here are a few common causes behind it:

1. Teeth Grinding: Some people grind their teeth and clench their jaw unconsciously during their sleep, which is also called bruxism. This can be pretty harmful to the jaw and teeth, often leading to tongue biting in sleep.
2. Malocclusion: If you are dealing with misaligned teeth or malocclusion, your jaw may sit incorrectly. Due to malocclusion, your tongue could slip in between your teeth and result in accidental bites. You may notice improvement after receiving treatment for misaligned teeth or jaw!
3. Other Medical Conditions: You may bite your tongue due to other conditions, such as nighttime seizures, rhythmic movement disorder, facial muscle spasms, etc. Consult a healthcare professional!

You may not realize that you are biting your tongue in your sleep. There are some signs that indicate that you are biting your tongue while you sleep. These include:

• Pain
• Bleeding tongue
• Pain
• Red or swollen tongue
• Ulcers or wounds on the tongue
• Scalloped tongue
• Cut or marks on the tongue

If you notice the signs of tongue biting, you should immediately consult your dental specialist to examine the cause. The sooner you treat dental concerns, the better!

Treatment for tongue biting in sleep depends on the underlying cause behind the condition. If you struggle with bruxism, the dental specialist might recommend a night guard – it does not treat teeth grinding but protects your teeth by reducing the effects the phenomenon causes. A night guard for teeth grinding might even help prevent tongue biting.

If you have malocclusion, the orthodontist will assess your teeth and jaw in order to determine the correct treatment. You may need braces, aligners, tooth removal, surgical treatment, etc., depending on your condition.

For other medical conditions, too, the treatment will depend on the cause. It is possible that tooth biting leads to some injuries. Though tooth injuries tend to heal quickly, you should seek urgent care if you have ulcers, redness, pus, excessive bleeding, or other symptoms. Tongue biting in sleep will require medical attention to treat the cause!