The study presents a possible explanation for this type of dream, which is very common
Have you ever dreamed that your teeth were falling out? If so, you’re not alone. These dreams are so common that researchers decided to try to find out why they occur so frequently and what they might mean.
Dreams about teeth, such as those in which everyone falls out, breaks or rots, are among the most common dream themes. According to previous research, about 39% of people reported having dreamed about teeth at least once in their lives.
These dreams intrigue researchers because they do not appear to align with the “continuity hypothesis,” which suggests that our dreams are influenced by our worries and experiences while we are awake.
Death in the family?
Over the years, several interpretations of dreams about teeth have been proposed, ranging from symbolic meanings to psychological distress. Some say that these dreams signal the impending death of a family member, while others believe that there is a sexual element to this dream or a simple fear of growing old. However, there was a lack of research on the topic.
A recent study, published in Frontiers in psychologytried to discover the reasons behind these singular dreams and found a possible answer: a real sensation in the teeth caused by the act of clenching or grinding the teeth during the night, the popular “bruxism”.
Questionnaires to evaluate dreams, sleep and teeth
The work involved 210 participants, mostly university students aged 18 to 28. The researchers administered questionnaires to assess several factors, including dream themes, psychological distress, dental irritation and sleep quality. Two aspects of dental irritation have been highlighted: teeth grinding during sleep and the feeling of tension or sensitivity of the teeth upon waking.
The researchers used the Dream Motives Scale (DMS), which consisted of 100 dream themes measured on a 5-point scale to assess the lifetime frequency of experiencing specific dream content. They focused on four items, including the one related to dreams about teeth. To measure psychological distress, the researchers used the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a comprehensive 53-item survey that assessed various psychological symptoms experienced by participants in the past month.
Additionally, they used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality over the past month, including the presence of sleep disturbances. The study also included self-report questions regarding dental irritation, specifically teeth grinding during sleep and the feeling of tension in the teeth upon waking, as well as frequency in the past month.
Connection to physical discomfort
Researchers have found a significant connection between dreams about teeth and dental irritation, particularly tension in the teeth upon waking. This means that people who dreamed about tooth loss were more likely to report feelings of sensitivity or tension in their teeth, gums, or jaw upon waking.
The findings indicate that dreams reflect not only psychological but also physical processes, and that dreams in which teeth fall out, especially if accompanied by a feeling of discomfort in the jaw in the morning, may reflect the presence of teeth grinding during sleep, according to study author Nirit Soffer-Dudek, of Ben-Gurion University, Israel.
Furthermore, the study revealed that dreams about teeth were not linked to psychological distress or sleep quality, dispelling the idea that these dreams are primarily driven by psychological concerns.
This finding challenges the traditional view that dreams about falling teeth are symbolic representations of psychological disorders. Instead, the study suggests that these dreams may have a physical basis, rather than being purely symbolic of psychological symptoms.
Further studies are needed
Although the study provides intuitions valuable information about the riddle of teeth dreams, it also has its limitations. The study sample consisted primarily of college students, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Furthermore, the assessment of dental irritation has been based on self-report measures, which are not always entirely accurate.
Future research could involve larger and more diverse samples, covering a wider range of age groups and backgrounds. Researchers can also explore other physical sensations, such as gum pain, toothache, or even dental procedures, to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between dream themes and physical discomfort during sleep.
However, the next time you dream about your teeth, notice if you also wake up with sensitivity in your teeth or jaw. Some particular dreams can offer intriguing insights into our body and subconscious mind.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
