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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Teeth Fall Asleep Similar To Foot Or Hand? Why Did My Teeth Get Numb?

Do teeth fall asleep ? Everyone has had a foot or an arm fall asleep at one time or another. I mostly understand the physiology of this dynamic. However, I swear that this has happened to my dentition twice in the last few weeks. On both occasions, it has happened before I fell asleep while I was listening to music in bed while waiting to dose off. I have ruled out bruxism and occlusal trauma. My jawbone was in a relaxed position, slightly open, with my tongue buffering both the mandibular and maxillary dentition. After being focused on the music for 15-30 minutes, I noticed a slight numbness or softness in my teeth (especially the molars and premolars) in all four quandrants. When I gently closed my teeth, jaw I noticed a diminished tactile sensation. It was a milder sensation that a foot falling asleep. There was no accompanying stinging sensation. Also, there was no mobility of any teeth. I finally regained normal feeling, sensation within about 10-15 minutes. I have no known health issues. I am somewhat overweight (190 lbs./5ft.8in.) with normal blood glucose levels. 38-year-old caucasian male.
Wed, 8 Aug 2012
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Dentist, Prosthodontics 's  Response
Hi,
Sometimes there is numbness of teeth if the teeth have been abraded due to bruxism or acidity leading to dissolution of enamel from the tooth and mild chronic irritation to dentinal tubules and nerves. Please notice if you gym more, with heavy weights leading to clenching or are stressed as they are the factors leading to the same. I know you have ruled out bruxism but many a times it is night bruxism which you may not notice while sleeping and as is involuntary you may not even notice during daily activities such as driving, cooking , picking heavy weights etc. I would recommend you to visit a dentist to rule it out and to see clinically if anything else is the cause.
Regards
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Can Teeth Fall Asleep Similar To Foot Or Hand? Why Did My Teeth Get Numb?

Hi, Sometimes there is numbness of teeth if the teeth have been abraded due to bruxism or acidity leading to dissolution of enamel from the tooth and mild chronic irritation to dentinal tubules and nerves. Please notice if you gym more, with heavy weights leading to clenching or are stressed as they are the factors leading to the same. I know you have ruled out bruxism but many a times it is night bruxism which you may not notice while sleeping and as is involuntary you may not even notice during daily activities such as driving, cooking , picking heavy weights etc. I would recommend you to visit a dentist to rule it out and to see clinically if anything else is the cause. Regards