Biting my tongue at night

[Elasticatedwaist]

What on earths going on I don’t know. Started a few months ago when 3 nights on the trot I suddenly clamped my jaw together in my sleep / half asleep state and nearly bit the end of my bloody tongue off ! It’s happened a few times since although last night it was more that I kept becoming aware that I had clenched my jaw together but not bitten my tongue just clenched my teeth, about 4 times it woke me up. I’ve got a sore tooth / mouth at the moment so it hurt !

Some people naturally clench their teeth in their sleep and need to use a mouth guard to protect their teeth and tongue.

Are you aware of it when it happens or do you realise later after you've woken?

If you don't realise until after, then maybe speak to your GP to rule out seizures

You need to see your GP, biting your tongue in the night is one of the signs you may be having a seizure.
Does anyone sleep next to you?

Well I was sort of aware of it last night, I must have been in a light sleep or only half asleep because when I got up this morning I knew I’d been restless all night and remembered doing it.
when I have actually bit my tongue it was more the shock of the pain that woke me and made me aware.
dh sleeps next to me but he’s always out for the count and hasn’t noticed anything.

It can also be a sign of hypoventalating...essentially underbreathing. In my case it was one of the first signs. Not to scare you but it does need investigating via your gp x

Have a look at your tongue- is it scalloped around the edges? If so..You’re clenching your jaw. The manifestation of stress typically presents in sleep. Try to put an essential oil on your pillow, light a candle, listen to a relaxing meditation before going to sleep along with giving yourself time to just.. decompress. Of course if this doesn’t work for you perhaps you have sleep apnoea (as per the last suggestion) but the signs of that are extreme tiredness in the day due to interrupted REM sleep as opposed to tongue biting.

My tongue is scalloped at the edges. I also am exhausted during the day and I’ve been to the doctor recently with lightheaded ness and pins and needles ( she thought it might be my back and has referred me to physio for that )
I’ve made another appointment this morning , waiting for a call back. Still no face to face at our surgery unless the doctor decides it’s necessary.