From a Freudian perspective, teeth dreams have been associated with sexual repression or castration anxiety, though most modern psychologists consider this interpretation overly narrow. Jungian psychology might view teeth as archetypes of power and vitality, with tooth loss representing a perceived diminishment of these qualities. Some research suggests a physiological component to teeth dreams—many people who grind their teeth during sleep (bruxism) report more frequent dreams about dental problems, suggesting the dream might incorporate actual physical sensations. Developmentally, teeth dreams may connect to early experiences of transition and growth. The childhood experience of losing baby teeth—an important developmental milestone accompanied by mixed emotions—may create a template for processing later life transitions through this symbolic language.

Many cultures associate teeth with power, youth, and vitality. In various folkloric traditions, healthy teeth symbolize strength and prosperity, while tooth loss appears as an omen of vulnerability or loss. These cultural associations influence the emotional impact of tooth dreams. Across diverse traditional dream interpretation systems—from Chinese to Greek to Middle Eastern—dreams about losing teeth have often been interpreted as omens of loss, whether financial setbacks, the death of a relative, or general misfortune. These historical interpretations may continue to influence how we experience teeth dreams. Some anthropologists note that teeth, as the hardest part of the human body and the part that survives longest after death, carry symbolic associations with immortality and endurance across many cultures. Dreams about teeth may tap into these deep cultural meanings.