Everyone eats. Everyone drinks. Everyone sleeps.
And everyone dreams.
While you’ve probably had dreams about showing up to work naked or free-falling from a tall building, it’s safe to say you’ve experienced this sleep scenario too — a dream about your teeth falling out.
According to the International Association for the Study of Dreams, “bad or missing teeth” is the third most common dream.
So what does it all mean? Are your teeth really going to fall out? Do you need to book it to the dentist before your pearly whites rot away? Not necessarily.
If you dream about teeth, you may be…
1. Experiencing a transition
Teeth first appear when you’re a baby, fall out as you get older and then grow back again during adolescence. One theory rationalizes teeth dreams as a parallel to a transitional phase in your life. Your dream may be a sign you’re evolving as a person — either physically, emotionally or both.
2. Lacking self-esteem
This empirical study suggests you may be feeling insecure about your appearance. Missing teeth represent anxiety about not being taken seriously. Does your self-esteem need a boost? Appreciate yourself for who you are! Take a deep breath, smile and try these tips.
3. Regretting something you said
In dreamland, your body and emotions pull a Freaky Friday. Some researchers believe body parts represent emotional parts of you, rather than your physical being. Your dream actually has nothing to do with your oral hygiene at all. In this case, your teeth represent something you said. And just like your teeth, your comment should have remained in your mouth permanently.
Remember, your dream meaning is based on you. Depending on your personal outlook and experiences, the same symbol can have different meanings. Try to think of any parallels your dream has with your real life.
It’s nice to keep in mind that sleep scenarios are not real life. And luckily in the dream world, if your teeth fall out, they’ll still be there when you wake up!
Where does your mind go after you doze into dreamland? Share your story below!