-Can be a painful but otherwise harmless irritation -- or, in some cases, a critically important symptom -- depending on the underlying cause:

• It sometimes results from toothgrinding (bruxism: described below).  In some instances, it may be an extension in sleep of a nervous habit of chewing/ clenching of the teeth when awake or drowsy.
• Mechanical factors may explain its occurrence: for example, a large tongue or damaged teeth with sharp edges.
• Sleep apnea may precipitate this problem -- when patients “catch” their tongues or cheeks during violent, gasping efforts to breathe.
• It also can represent the consequence (and occasionally, the only obvious symptom) of sleep-related seizures.

 

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