Introduction
Emma Gilbey Keller
Author & Journalist
Dreams of teeth falling out, which have been numerous during Covid, are a common response to trauma, loss, illness and powerlessness. Age old theories believe they foreshadow death. Dentists say that dreams of tooth loss are triggered by the discomfort of clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while sleeping — bruxism — which can be a manifestation of stress and anxiety. Whether the trigger is physical or psychological, disturbing images of tooth loss are a vivid representation of the corrosive decay wrought by this virus.
The following accounts of dreams are reproduced from idreamofcovid.com with the permission of Erin T. Gravley.
May 2, 2020 | Delaware | 10-19 years
I dreamt I was brushing my teeth before bed, and then my teeth started falling out. (Classic!) I then went to my mom about it, and she became very alarmed. She said to me that losing teeth was a symptom of Covid, and that I needed to isolate in my room immediately. If losing teeth has ever been a symptom, then thankfully it was just a dream, so far.
April 3, 2020 | California | 30-39 years
I’ve had the teeth dreams on and off throughout my life, and it’s always been when I’ve felt helpless. I would always dream that the teeth were just falling apart and out of my mouth uncontrollably.
But this time, I was pulling the teeth whole out of my own mouth with pliers. There were people wincing and trying to get me to stop. It just would be so much easier, I kept thinking, without them. I even laid them out so they would look nice. A voluntary giving up of control, of freedom, and not really acknowledging the cost? Maybe. I’d be really interested to know if anyone else is having teeth dreams lately.
April 1, 2020 | Indianapolis | 40-49 years
My crowns fell off my teeth. I kept trying to put them back on, but they wouldn’t stay on. No dentists were open so my teeth began to fall out.