Get Rid of Annoying Sleeping Habits

United States
August 7, 2007 3:45pm CST
For as long as I can remember I have had a problem with actually biting my tongue while sleeping. I don't know exactly when and why I picked this habit up. Not only is it painful for me when I awaken, but I am seriously afraid that one night I might actually bite my own tongue off. How or why it hasn't awakened me while I am doing this deed is beyond me, but would really like to know if there is a way to break sleeping habits such as this. Do you know of any sites or do you know first hand how to stop something like this?
2 people like this
6 responses
• United States
7 Aug 07
I found this info: Ask The Doctor: Biting Tongue While Asleep -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: I bite my tongue repeatedly in the course of the night during sleep. I am concerned because I am losing sleep and I am worried that it could be something serious. What could cause this? What should I do about it? I have been working in a peanut butter company and I want to make sure this is not some form of allergy-related seizure. http://body.aol.com/expert-q-and-a/ask-the-doctor-biting-tongue-while-asleep Answer: With no other symptoms, it is very unlikely that your nighttime tongue biting is the result of seizures. It is possible that you grind your teeth at night (many people do) and you are injuring your tongue in the process. Your dentist may be able to advise you whether or not your dental exam reveals signs of tooth grinding. If your body jerks during the night due to abrupt leg movements (a sleeping disorder named restless legs syndrome), this could cause you to bite your tongue. A less common condition called "familial nocturnal facio-mandibular myoclonus" would also provide a good explanation for your tongue biting. It is a problem that causes recurring spasm of your face and jaw muscles during the night. This problem is not dangerous, and it runs in families. To get more information about the cause of your tongue biting, an overnight stay in a laboratory where your sleep can be monitored (a "sleep study") would be helpful.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Aug 07
Thanks for in depth response. I will take this into consideration while having a talk with my dentist, and hearing her thoughts on this. I hope something can be done, cause it's becoming a real problem when it prohibits me from eating properly or at all.
@latsmom (824)
7 Aug 07
WEll can't think of any cures, maybe you could try a mouth guard that you can get from the doctors, my freind gets one as she grinds her teeth in her sleep but as it parts the tongue from the top teeth it may help your habbits too, definately worth a try.
• United States
7 Aug 07
Thanks for your response. I will certainly be talking about this with my dentist to see if she can help me with this in any way. I am hoping cause it sucks having my tongue to sore to eat anything.
@avs189 (1030)
• India
8 Aug 07
U cant cure such habits but atleast u can reduce their intensity and frequency of occurence over the passage of time by various other protective measures or from doctoral advice which would help in curbing them, i dont think i have any sleeping habit ,coz when i sleep i sleep like tired dog,i need to be kicked to wake up...lol!!!!
• United States
9 Aug 07
Lol! I can only sleep like that if the night before I didn't sleep a wink. I have talked to both my dentist and my doctor, both told me to use a mouth guard which I am using and it is helping. Next week I am going in for some lab tests to be done and a sleep analysis done to see what the cause of my tongue biting is. Keeping my fingers crossed it's nothing I have to worry about to much.
@avs189 (1030)
• India
9 Aug 07
Wish you luck and its not that serious ur thinking of ,evrything would be fine ,its just your natural habit and would be decreased with passage of time ,so dont worry,enjoy posting,do let us know results of lab tests ,wish u luck!!!
@yanjiaren (9031)
18 Aug 07
Oh no that sounds painful lol..Mysbe if you put some repellent of some kind there? I have never heard of this before but maybe engaging the mind in other things and locking your tongue into a position under your teeth might do it..under the teth is where we lock our tongue when we do tai ji and qi gong..so maybe try that and it may aid disciploine and help you concentrate on building up will power to get rid of this habit..just guessing lol..good luck..
• Canada
10 Aug 07
Hi hun, hope all is well. My mother had a problem with grinding her teeth in her sleep for years. She went to the Dentist and asked him if he knew what she could do about it. He gave her a thing that is almost like a retainer. It goes over top of her teeth and that way if she does grind it won't harm her teeth. My suggestion would be to talk to your dentist. They might have a good idea about what can be done. Good Luck!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 Aug 07
I used to have the habit of grinding my teeth, jeweled. This was just so annoying. For some time now they have had something that you can use to prevent this-a piece of some sort that fits in your mouth. Surely they should have something that will solve your problem. You could probably check with some dentists. Good luck.
• United States
7 Aug 07
Thanks for your response. I will be sure to speak with my dentist about this, since it seems to be becoming more of a nightly thing with me now.