Are You Grinding Your Teeth? Stress Could Be the Reason Why!
Millions of people grind their teeth on a regular basis. While teeth grinding – which is also referred to as bruxism – may not be the most serious dental problem patients can experience, it can have negative consequences for the patient’s teeth and overall health. In fact, excessive and continual teeth grinding can even result in those teeth suffering permanent damage. There are many causes for tooth grinding, including stress. It’s important to understand how stress impacts your teeth so that you can take steps to reduce anxiety and minimize the potential risk to your dental health.
The Threat Posed by Teeth Grinding
It’s easy to take teeth grinding for granted and assume that it’s just a harmless habit that poses no real risk to dental health. In some cases, that may be true. Occasional grinding of the teeth can certainly occur without any damage to a patient’s teeth. However, in many instances, patients who grind their teeth with regularity can experience very real consequences. For example:
- Tooth grinding can create undue pressure for a patient’s tissues and jaw muscles.
- Tooth grinding can cause pain, including headaches, jaw discomfort, and aches in the ear.
- Tooth grinding wears down the teeth over time and can create permanent damage to the affected areas of the mouth.
How Stress Can Lead to Teeth Grinding
Stress causes all manner of health concerns for the people who experience it. Unfortunately, one of those potential concerns involves dental health. According to research, daily stress can create anxiety that doesn’t end when a person goes to sleep. Instead, the mind continues to process that stress while you sleep, and your body can react in a variety of ways. For many people, that reaction includes unconscious teeth grinding.
What You Can Do to Reduce That Risk
The symptoms of teeth grinding include a sore jaw after sleeping, as well as unusual sensitivity for your teeth. For some patients, grinding can prevent proper rest, and may even result in insomnia due to the inability to completely relax. The good news is that there are steps that you can take to reduce your stress and the risks associated with potential tooth grinding:
- Try to relax – both mentally and physically.
- Some experts recommend meditation as an option for achieving a more restful state.
- Avoid chewing on ice or hard candy.
- Stay hydrated. Some tooth grinding can be associated with a lack of proper hydration.
- Consult with your dentist and physician. They can provide other solutions that may help you avoid this problem and damage to your teeth.
It’s also important to be aware that teeth grinding can be caused by other factors as well, including dental problems, allergies, sleep disorders, and more. If you suspect that you’re grinding your teeth, it is vital to get help and take steps to stop the problem before it causes lasting harm. Tackling your stress can often be the first step to ensuring better sleep while protecting your teeth.