Causes of tongue biting during sleep and methods for eliminating them

Why do children and adults bite their tongues in their sleep?

An active lifestyle, dynamic games (in children) are the main causes of an unpleasant and often painful sensation on the tongue after sleep.

Active play with peers can lead to a child falling. At the same time, the teeth close and the tongue is bitten. Boys fight often. During a fight, they can hit each other in the jaw, which causes tongue biting.

Adults bite their tongues for almost the same reasons. They lead an active lifestyle, work out in the gym, during which mechanical impact occurs on the jaw.

Tongue biting during sleep is a common disease that affects both children and adults. There are many factors that provoke this phenomenon: stress, vitamin deficiency, dental problem, habit. We will talk in more detail about the causes of tongue bite during sleep.

Signs of Bruxism

An episode of nighttime teeth grinding lasts about 10 seconds. The number of episodes may vary and they may occur every night or occasionally. A characteristic symptom is grinding or clicking of teeth, but the patient himself rarely notices this feature, because sleep is not interrupted. Usually the patient learns about the problem from the lips of relatives and people living with him.

Associated symptoms of bruxism are the following:

• pain in the jaw, teeth;
• headache;
• pain in the facial muscles;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness.

Why is this dangerous?

If a person says: “I bite my tongue in my sleep,” then you need to know about the dangers of such a phenomenon. Firstly, when biting, the lateral parts of the tongue are damaged. Most often, the mucous membranes of the cheeks are affected during a bite. If the phenomenon occurs frequently, chronic damage to the inner surface of the cheeks occurs.

Secondly, bleeding of the tongue, pain, wounds, ulcers are the results of biting the tongue. These effects can make it difficult to chew food particles and make individual sounds. In particular, during a conversation there may be a “whistle” of sounds in people who suffer from this disease.

Of course, it is impossible to die from biting your own tongue. Even if you bite your tongue completely off.

Is epilepsy curable?

Before starting treatment, a diagnosis should be determined, because loss of consciousness and various convulsions can occur due to a sharp drop in blood sugar, anemia, poisoning, high fever, cerebrovascular accident, calcium deficiency and other conditions. Antiepileptic drugs cannot be prescribed to such patients immediately. The diagnosis of epilepsy is made only when epileptic seizures recur.

The percentage of patients with epileptic seizures could be significantly lower if patients took medications regularly and did not stop treatment on their own. The decision to discontinue medications can only be made by a doctor, and not earlier than after 5 years of treatment, if during this time the patient has not had epileptic seizures. At the Yusupov Hospital, an epileptologist always monitors how the patient’s illness develops.

Reasons for biting your tongue in your sleep

There are a huge number of factors that interrupt restful sleep. One of the common causes is biting the tongue, and with it the cheeks. There is no need to sound the alarm if a similar situation occurs every few months. However, if a person feels pain in the tongue area every morning, then it is urgently necessary to determine the cause of this phenomenon:

1. Bruxism is a disease in which a person grinds his teeth at night. This is not a serious pathology, but as a result, the tongue and the inside of the cheeks are bitten. Many doctors are of the opinion that bruxism at night is a neurological problem. Therefore, in many cases, it is enough to put on a silicone mouthguard before bed to get rid of an uncontrollable bad habit.

2. Unadjusted braces and incorrectly installed braces can cause the tongue to touch the teeth. In order to avoid biting your tongue while sleeping, you need to wear a special elastic band that slightly raises your jaw.

3. Apnea is a pathological condition in which breathing is briefly interrupted during sleep. Apnea in adults is quite common. During this “seizure,” the jaw relaxes as much as possible, and the tongue slips outside the dentition. As soon as breathing is restored, the jaw clenches.

4. Stress and nightmares are one of the common reasons for biting your tongue in your sleep. Most often, pregnant women or those who have recently given birth to a baby suffer from this problem. Their body is still under stress and undergoing dramatic hormonal changes.

5. Lyme disease is one of the rarest causes of tongue biting during sleep. This pathology affects the brain and nervous system. As a result, the body sends incorrect signals to the muscles.

6. Convulsions are one of the reasons for biting the inner lining of the oral cavity. Most often, this problem affects people who have epilepsy attacks. During sleep, the epileptic's muscles are uncontrollable, which can cause involuntary closure of the jaw. Cramps during sleep can also appear in children during the period of their active growth. A somnologist can diagnose the problem. Thanks to a special examination method, the doctor observes the patient's brain waves. If the doctor confirms that the cause of tongue biting is not epilepsy, other causes should be considered.

7. Epilepsy is a chronic disease that causes seizures, loss of consciousness, vomiting and other dangerous symptoms. Attacks most often occur during sleep. Epilepsy during sleep differs from the usual clinical picture. Breathing worsens, muscle hypertonicity occurs spontaneously. The upper limbs of a person are in an abducted state, and the lower ones are extended. During spasm, involuntary bowel movements and urine leakage are observed. The epileptic clenches his jaw tightly and bites the tip of his tongue. Most often this leads to bleeding. These convulsions last about a minute. After the attack, breathing returns to normal, and foam appears near the mouth. After biting the tongue, it has a scarlet color. After a seizure at night, patients may not remember what happened to them. However, the next morning the following data indicate an attack: a wrinkled sheet, stains on the bed from saliva and foam, traces of feces and urine.

8. Movement disorders are one of the possible causes of tongue biting during sleep. Such disorders manifest themselves in the form of sudden shaking of the head and body movements. Most often, this reason appears in active children. Movement disorders can lead to head banging, body swaying, limb twitching, and even fractures. This problem may disappear and reappear as the child grows older. If taking a sedative before bed does not help, you may need to see a psychologist for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Diagnostics

Neurologists diagnose and treat epilepsy. Some of them specifically expand their qualifications in this area, which allows them to act even more effectively.

Examination of a patient with suspected epilepsy includes the following methods:

• collection of complaints and medical history: the doctor asks the patient in detail about the symptoms that bother him, finds out the time and circumstances of their occurrence; a characteristic sign of epilepsy is the appearance of seizures against the background of sharp sounds, bright or flashing lights, etc.; special attention is paid to heredity, past injuries and diseases, the patient’s lifestyle and bad habits;
• neurological examination: the doctor evaluates muscle strength, skin sensitivity, severity and symmetrical reflexes;
• EEG (electroencephalography): a procedure for recording the electrical activity of the brain, allowing one to see the characteristic activity of an epileptogenic focus; if necessary, the doctor may try to provoke overexcitation using flashes of light or rhythmic sounds;
• MRI of the brain: makes it possible to identify pathological areas and formations: tumors, fissures, ischemic areas, consequences of a stroke, etc.;
• angiography of the vessels of the head: injection of a contrast agent into the blood followed by radiography; allows you to see areas of vasoconstriction and deterioration of blood flow;
• Ultrasound of the brain (Echo-encephalogram): used in children of the first year of life whose fontanel has not yet closed; visualizes tumors and other space-occupying formations, fluid accumulation, etc.;
• rheoencephalography: measurement of electrical resistance of head tissue, which can be used to diagnose blood flow disorders;
• general examinations: general blood and urine tests, blood biochemistry, tests for infections, ECG, etc. for a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition;
• consultations with specialized specialists: neurosurgeon, toxicologist, narcologist, psychiatrist, etc. (prescribed depending on the suspected cause of the attacks).

The list of studies may vary depending on the patient’s age, type of attack, presence of chronic pathologies and other factors.

How to restore your tongue after biting?

Patients often ask doctors the question: “I bite my tongue in my sleep, what should I do?” Typically, a tongue injury heals within 7 days. There is no urgent need to visit a doctor. Because human saliva has natural healing properties that help accelerate the healing of damaged tissues.

Of course, you can use home remedies. Many doctors recommend applying ice to the area where the blood is coming from. Rinsing your mouth with salty sea water is also effective.

The main thing is to exclude spicy foods from your diet until the pain completely disappears.

Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy

Vagus nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive procedure in which a miniature device is placed under the skin. An epilepsy stimulator is placed by clavicle specialists and is used to generate impulses that are then sent to the vagus nerve using special electrodes. Thus, the device can be programmed to generate pulses lasting 30 seconds every 5 minutes. Flexible settings allow you to choose the optimal mode for each patient.

An epilepsy stimulant can cause complications, about which experts warn the patient. Thus, during the operation, neck vessels and nerves may be damaged. In addition, the patient may have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia or bleeding. Experienced specialists first study possible risks and take measures to minimize them.

Indications for the procedure

Impulses in the brain are transmitted from neuron to neuron in an orderly manner. With epilepsy, foci of pathological pulsation occur, and the order of impulses is disrupted. Drug therapy for epilepsy can effectively control seizures.

Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy is indicated in the following cases:

• if drug therapy is ineffective;
• Conservative treatment has a positive effect, but side effects occur when using drugs;
• other surgical treatments for epilepsy have failed to control seizures;
• The patient experiences frequent and prolonged depression due to epilepsy.

When treating epilepsy, neurologists at the Yusupov Hospital give preference to the safest methods and minimally invasive procedures. Each therapeutic measure prescribed to a patient with epilepsy is justified and rational.

Benefits of Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive technique used at the Yusupov Hospital. It has several advantages in the treatment of epilepsy:

• after a stimulator is installed under the patient’s skin, epilepsy attacks become rare and their severity decreases;
• the procedure allows you to effectively control attacks;
• stimulation helps to improve the general condition of the patient;
• the technique is minimally invasive. To install the device, only two punctures are required in the collarbone and neck;
• recovery of the body after surgery occurs in the shortest possible time.

When treating epilepsy, neurologists at the Yusupov Hospital prefer medications, but if they are ineffective, stimulation of the vagus nerve can produce a positive result.

What if there is blood?

In this case, press the wound site against your cheek or palate. This is first aid for a small tongue bite. You can use a piece of ice or a clean cloth.

Examine the wound carefully. Assess the severity of the bite. If the wound is deep enough, then go to the dentist.

If the wound is small, use salt water rinsing. This will speed up healing. Within 20 seconds 1 tsp. Dissolve sea salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with the solution.

If bleeding does not go away within a few hours after sleep, you should seek help from a doctor. Perhaps an infection has been introduced into the body or there is a problem with blood clotting.

Be sure to seek help from a dentist who will select suitable protection for your teeth.

Doctors often make an impression of the jaw for the patient - a special mouthguard that must be put on before going to bed.

Prevention of bruxism

Bruxism can be prevented by paying attention to oral health: it is important to see a dentist in a timely manner, treat diseases of the teeth and gums, and restore the integrity of the dentition if teeth are lost. If you have bite defects or crowded teeth, you should consult an orthodontist.

Prevention involves normalizing the psycho-emotional state, giving up bad habits, coffee and energy drinks; maintaining a daily routine and proper nutrition.

Specialists from STOMA clinics will help adult patients get rid of bruxism: with us you can get help from all specialized doctors - from dental therapists to periodontists and orthodontists.

What to do after an injury?

“I constantly bite my tongue in my sleep, how can I relieve the pain?” is a common question that patients ask the dentist. To reduce pain, it is recommended to suck on a small piece of ice or popsicle. There are also a number of recommendations:

• Apply a cold compress for several days after biting your tongue.
• It is allowed to take Paracetamol, Advil (drugs in dosages according to age).
• Use special dental gels: Metrogil-Denta, Asepta, Cholisal.
• Avoid eating or drinking for 2 hours after waking up.
• Rinse your mouth with herbal decoctions and sea salt solution three times a day. Chamomile decoction helps a lot. To prepare it you need 1 tbsp. l. chamomile leaves pour 1 glass of warm water (not boiling). Let it brew for 20 minutes.

These procedures will speed up the healing process.

Treatment

Neurologists at the Yusupov Hospital provide complex treatment for epilepsy. It is aimed at reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures and stopping medications during remission. According to statistics, in 70% of cases, adequately selected treatment helps to almost completely relieve paroxysmal activity in patients.

To achieve optimal results in treatment, patients are prescribed drugs for epilepsy of the following properties:

• anticonvulsants – help relax muscles, they are prescribed to both adults and children;
• tranquilizers - allow you to remove or reduce the excitability of nerve fibers; the drugs have shown a high degree of effectiveness in the fight against minor attacks;
• sedatives – help relieve nervous tension and prevent the development of severe depressive disorders;
• injections - used for twilight states and affective disorders.

Idiopathic focal epilepsy is benign. It requires symptomatic treatment. In focal forms with seizures that appear in series 2-3 times a month and are accompanied by an increase in mental disorders, neurosurgeons perform surgery.

When to go to the doctor?

There are factors that cannot be ignored. So, reasons for urgently contacting a doctor:

• if swelling and hematoma have formed at the site of injury;
• if the tongue tissue is bitten through;
• if it was not possible to stop the bleeding within half an hour;
• if the wound is 5 mm in size, deep and with ragged edges.

If treatment at home is ineffective, the tongue hurts, and the swelling does not go away for a long time, then you need to consult a doctor.

Choice of treatment tactics

Based on the collected data, the doctor makes a decision on drug or surgical treatment of a certain type of disease. Let us remember that there is a pathology that cannot be treated with medications, so it is an indication for surgical intervention.

Often, to get a detailed understanding of the nature of the disease, doctors interview the patient’s relatives and ask them to describe the characteristics of the attacks; sometimes they ask them to make a home video in order to familiarize themselves with them. After analyzing all the obtained indicators, the doctor decides to conduct individual therapy using drugs that stop seizures.

What is prohibited?

Doctors have identified a number of actions that are prohibited when biting your tongue. So, you can't:

• apply ointments, iodine and antibiotics to a fresh wound (they will lead to burns);
• rinse the mouth with hot or cold herbal decoctions;
• drink hot or cold drinks;
• press your fingers on the wound;
• use alcohol tincture;
• Use objects (pencil, pen) to inspect the wound, otherwise you will get an infection.

The main thing is not to take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.

First aid for seizures

Proper care for an epileptic seizure reduces the risk of complications and injuries. The person who happens to be next to the patient should catch him and prevent him from falling. You also need to do the following:

• Place a blanket, pillow or cushion of clothing under your head;
• Free your neck and chest from constricting objects and clothing (tie, shirt, scarf);
• Carefully turn the patient's head to the side to minimize the risk of inhalation or passive reflux of vomit or own saliva;
• Open your mouth and put a cloth or handkerchief in it to prevent the patient from biting his tongue;
• Do not forcefully open your mouth;
• If breathing stops for a long time, perform artificial ventilation from the mouth to the nose or mouth.

During an attack, the patient may experience involuntary urination or bowel movements. This manifestation of epilepsy should not cause fear in others. After an attack, patients usually experience drowsiness and severe weakness.

How to prevent tongue biting?

If the cause of involuntary jaw movement is any disease, then all efforts should be directed towards its treatment. If the doctor does not find any real deviations in the patient’s health, then you should visit a psychotherapist. Many people who suffer from bruxism and sleep apnea benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy.

Relaxing asanas, yoga, and a cup of mint tea before bed reduce the risk of involuntary tongue biting.

You can take sedatives based on medicinal herbs before bed. Take motherwort tincture and valerian. Also don't forget about relaxation music. For many, it helps to relax and calm emotions before bed. Relaxation music is the sounds of nature: the sound of the sea, forest, rain, birdsong.

In many cases, the cause of tongue biting is an unstable state of the nervous system, and not a serious pathology.

Precursors of epileptic seizures

The first harbinger of epileptic seizures is an aura. It is individual for each patient. Thanks to the constant warning signs, patients can warn others about the onset of an attack or independently move to a safe place.

There are the following types of aura that precede the onset of an epileptic attack:

• Hallucinations;
• Sharp contraction of the muscles of the upper or lower extremities;
• Repeating the same movements;
• Burning, crawling or tingling sensation in various parts of the body;
• Sharp deterioration in mood.

The duration of the aura is several seconds. During this time, patients do not lose consciousness.

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