Are You Grinding Teeth? | Schmakel Smile Design

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, from childhood all the way through our golden years. No matter the type of job you have or what’s going on in your life, something is going to have the potential to cause you some degree of stress. Many health issues are often spurred by underlying chronic stress – such as hypertension or anxiety. Issues like grinding teeth, developing canker sores and more can all be attributed to stress too!

While you may know the effects stress has on your body, did you know it can significantly impact your dental health? Sometimes it’s hard to identify your own stress levels, but if you think you may have underlying stress from your day-to-day life, it’s important to learn the symptoms and risks involved in chronically high stress levels!

Dental Health Problems Exacerbated by Stress

Canker Sores

Cankers sores, or mouth sores, are often small ulcers in the mouth and typically harmless. While they vary from case to case, a canker sore can be incredibly painful. While doctors still aren’t sure about the exact cause of mouth sores, stress seems to be a very common catalyst to developing them. Due to the pain caused by contact, canker sores can also discourage you from brushing regularly, causing an even greater impact on your dental health!

TMD/TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

While many refer to TMJ as a disorder, it’s actually referring to the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jawbone to your skull, acting as the hinge for moving your jaw. TMD is a disorder in which this joint becomes inflamed. This can be extremely painful due to the frequency in which most people use this joint for talking, chewing or breathing.

Stress plays into TMD directly – but it can also indirectly cause TMD through causing behavior that leads to you overusing your jaw, such as grinding teeth.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the technical term for clenching the jaw or grinding teeth. Stress is most likely one of the biggest contributors to causing, though sleep apnea or other sleep disorders can also exacerbate the issue. Many people who experience bruxism grind their teeth during their sleep, though it’s not uncommon for individuals to grind their teeth or clench their jaw during the day as well.

While canker sores or TMD are usually easily identified by a patient due to the pain, bruxism can be more difficult. This is because you’re often unaware that you’re grinding your teeth, even as you do it. There are a few signs of grinding that your dentist can often notice:

Loud teeth grinding, often loud enough to wake another person
Flat, fractured, or chipped teeth
Tooth enamel is worn away
Sore or tired jaw muscles

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to speak to your dentist to identify if you may need treatment, such as a bite guard for grinding teeth.

Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a disease that leads to reddish skin lesions on the ankles, wrists and lower back. However, it can also cause you to experience a burning sensation in your mouth. Lichen planus is not contagious, nor is it known exactly what causes it. It’s believed to be related to an autoimmune reaction, but studies have indicated that lichen planus can be caused by stress or other psychological anxieties.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Similar to lichen planus, burning mouth syndrome, the exact cause of BMS isn’t well known. It’s believed related to nerve fibers in the mouth that transmit pain signals incorrectly. There are many cases where burning mouth syndrome is developed as a secondary symptom of a greater health issue, but in all cases, research shows that stress plays a big part in its severity and how long you experience it, which can last from days to years.

Gum Disease

Researchers have discovered that not only can emotional factors contribute to developing gum disease, but there is some degree of correlation between stress levels and the severity of gum disease. For those who experienced more stress over a one year period, their gum disease often worsened.

Additionally, individual who are undergoing significant stress in their life often are busy or distracted and don’t stick to their home dental care routine. It’s important maintain good oral health, as gum disease can lead to other health issues.

Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

Dry mouth is a more serious condition than you may believe. It impacts your ability to eat and drink, but it also makes your mouth more likely to develop gingivitis, increases tooth decay and can lead to the erosion of enamel. Anxiety and stress will often reduce the saliva produced by the glands in your mouth, which can lead to xerostomia.

Best Steps for Protecting Your Dental Health

Reduce Your Stress Levels

While it may sound like something that’s easier said than done, it’s important to find good outlets to relieve stress. Not only will this prevent common stress-related dental problems, but it will improve your overall health as well. Popular ways to reduce stress include:

Practice yoga, meditation, or other relaxation methods
Listen to music
Read a book for leisure
Enjoy your favorite hobbies
Exercise

Avoid Unhealthy Foods

Foods that aren’t healthy can exacerbate health issues and cause more stress. Sugary drinks and caffeine can cause irregular stress on your body, as well as alcohol. This is in addition to the direct damage caused by acidic or sugary foods on your teeth and gums. By limiting your intake of these foods, you can reduce their effect on your dental and overall health.

Communicate with Your Dentist

If you begin to experience pain or discomfort in your mouth at any time, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your dentist. While some problems like gum disease or dry mouth may seem inconsequential, they can quickly become serious. In many cases, it’s possible for your dentist to correct these problems early on and prevent periodontal disease or other major dental health concerns.

Are You Experiencing Stress-Related Dental Health Issues?

The dental professionals at Schmakel Smile Designs can answer your questions and provide a thorough examination to help keep your flawless smile. Make an appointment, or call us at (419) 841-9494.