Anti-stress tooth care advice to save your teeth

Stress is not only bad for our general health, it damages our teeth too. We don’t even have to be in a particularly high-powered job, or experiencing major emotional upheaval, to experience levels of stress that are harmful. Many of us respond to stress by learning to grit our teeth, quite literally. But this habit can cause long term damage to our teeth and jaw.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical name for excessive grinding or clenching of the teeth. As the action is not related to the proper purposes of the mouth, eating and talking, damage can result. Stress is about the pressure we exert on our body and mind. Bruxism is unnecessary physical stress we exert on our teeth and jaw.

Common problems experienced by people who clench or grind teeth:

• worn tooth enamel
• tooth sensitivity
• loosening and even loss of teeth
• cracking and fracturing of teeth
• clicking of the jaw, or jaw pain (TMD – temporomandibular joint disorder)

Anti-stress tooth care advice:

• A visit to the dentist can help you to understand more about the problem. Moreover, your dentist can offer solutions. As clenching or grinding often occurs during sleep, your dentist can make you a custom night-guard. A night guard is a transparent, thin, removable plate worn over the upper teeth to prevent you fully closing your jaw. It relieves pressure, as well as protecting enamel.
• If necessary, a dentist may propose the use of muscle relaxants to stop grinding and clenching, either in tablet form or an injection of botulinum toxin into the jaw muscle. If the muscles working the jaw are relaxed, it helps preserve both the jaw and teeth from stress.
• Patients who clench their teeth during the day can benefit from conscious relaxation techniques. Monitoring when you clench your teeth will help. If you notice that you only do it when you’re working on your laptop, for example, then it can be beneficial to slip in a night guard while you’re concentrating. A mouth guard eases sore jaws and facial muscles, reduces pressure on teeth, and can even help break the habit.
• Physical exercise helps to reduce stress levels. If possible, take a break from work and go for a brisk walk, a bike-ride or try an exercise video at home. Yoga-style exercises that include focused breathing encourage conscious relaxation. A popular YouTube yogi with a wide range of free videos is Adriene – here’s a link to a short, calming practice, perfect for a good night’s sleep.
• If you have children in your care, look out for signs that they are grinding or clenching their teeth too. In young children bruxism can develop as teeth erupt, and it is a difficult habit to break. Regular dental visits will help to prevent the condition from developing as your dentist will identify signs early and suggest treatment.

Other oral concerns linked to stress:

• Oral ulcers: These painful little blisters in your mouth seem to pop up for no apparent reason, are a nuisance for a while, and then disappear again. Stress, injury, infection, fatigue and allergies can bring them on. Pain from a mouth ulcer generally lessens in a few days and the sores usually heal without treatment in about a week or two. If sores are large, painful or persistent, your dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse or a prescription or non-prescription solution to reduce the pain and irritation. It is important to check persistent, non-responsive symptoms are not a symptom of a more serious problem.
• Dry Mouth: Medication for reducing stress can cause a dry mouth. Maintaining a sufficient flow of saliva is essential. Saliva helps eliminate and neutralise the harmful effects of sugar and acids which can lead to gum disease. If you experience a dry mouth, be sure to drink more water, and if you take the medication continuously, ask your doctor about alternatives.
• Gum Disease: Prolonged stress affects our immune system, increases the risk of infections and worsens it. Moreover, during periods of significant stress we may neglect healthy routines, such as oral hygiene and nutrition.

As stress can undermine our well-being as well as our oral and dental health, it’s important to try to manage it. Talking to an understanding family member, friend or professional helps. Sometimes it can take an objective listener to understand your problems and help you to find solutions to whatever is causing the stress. Your dentist can, however, help you find solutions to some of the physical manifestations of stress.

Also on the topic:

• Do you need a night guard?
• Tips to protect tooth enamel
• Treatments: Night guards
• NHS guide to bruxism

Useful Links & Information