When we are small we lose our first teeth and often go through several years of missing teeth while our adult teeth grow. Sometimes we carry memories of not being able to speak properly because of gaps in our teeth or because people make fun of us.
Teeth can also be an issue when we feel uncomfortable about the shape of our teeth and smile.
Often, when we feel unsure of our communication style - when we feel we are not getting the message across, not being heard - we can dream of losing teeth because the feelings are similar.
Lost teeth in a dream may reflect feelings of being at a loss in communicating, or feelings of being dismissed as a child.
The interesting thing about your dream is that it was only the teeth on the left that fell out and that it was so scary for you.
What was scary?
Was it the feeling of being seen with half your teeth missing?
Was it the feeling of losing something that can never be replaced?
Dreams often use word play. The left side of your mouth may symbolise being left. That your teeth ‘fell out’ may translate as ‘I fell out’ with someone who has now ‘left’ me and I’m feeling scared.
Dreams about losing teeth are amongst the most common dreams. Many people attribute them to grinding teeth while asleep. Personally I think this is unlikely. When you grind your teeth your jaws sense the contact of the opposing teeth: the sensation is not one of loss.
However, we grind teeth when we are stressed, and stress is a physical and mental response to NOT resolving issues. We are more likely, at such a time, to dream of the issues we are stressed about. Communication difficulties, a sense of loss, a sense of something missing or a sense of submitting to authority are common themes in stress and the Lost Teeth symbolism fits well.
As always with dreams – and especially when so little information is remembered as in your case – the important thing is to consider all the possibilities until something leaps out at you and gives you a goosebump feeling of recognition – often a squirmy, “Oh, yes, I have to admit, that feels right”.
Writing Exercise
Take a piece of paper and write, “Left” at the top as a title. On the next line write “First they fell out …”. Now, set a timer for 15 minutes and start writing or typing as fast as you can – with no room for thought – a story starting with “First they fell out …”. Just let the words flow – a kind of stream of consciousness. Stop when the timer sounds. Read over your story at leisure. You will be surprised how much you learn from this.
How does this work?
By working with dream elements and symbols in writing form you are communicating with your unconscious mind in its own language to create change, to explore your feelings and to resolve and heal past issues.
More details on various writing exercises as Dream Alchemy Practices in: “Dream Alchemy” by Jane Teresa Anderson, pages 337-338.
Jane Teresa Anderson
