[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most of us know that
stress isn’t good for our health. It can cause blood pressure to spike, headaches to pound, and our mood to darken.
Stress also can wreak havoc on our teeth. When we feel under pressure, facial and jaw muscles can tighten, leading to pain. We also might clench and grind our teeth.
Grinding your teeth – a condition known as
bruxism -- is not always a major problem.
“We all grind our teeth some of the time,” says Dr. Matthew J. Messina, clinic director of Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry.
However, some people habitually grind their teeth. This is most likely to happen when we are awake, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. But it also can occur at night when we sleep.
Bruxism might seem harmless, but it can actually have a negative impact on your health.
Why do people grind their teeth?
Teeth have natural peaks and valleys that fit together when we bite, Messina says. The cusps in the upper arch fit into the valleys on the lower arch, and vice versa.
“The teeth fit together like pieces of a puzzle,” he says.
Sometimes, that fit changes with wear and time, and the teeth do not fit together perfectly.
“When the teeth don’t fit well, the body grinds one against the other to smooth out the differences,” Messina says.
Stress also can be a major trigger for bruxism. When a person is under stress, the body releases hormones as part of the “fight or flight” response.
“The ‘fight or flight’ response releases energy, so that we can fight or run away,” Messina says.
However, he notes that the body does not effectively differentiate between real stress – such as realizing a burglar is in the house – or perceived stress, such as worries about not being able to make your mortgage payment.
“When we face a real enemy, we can fight the burglar or run out of the house,” Messina says. “Psychological stress is tougher, as there is nothing to actively fight.”
As our response to stress causes the body to release energy, it finds it has no outlet for it. “One way the body burns the energy is by muscle contraction, in shivering or tooth grinding,” Messina says.
Several other factors have been linked to an increased risk of bruxism. They include:
- Genetics
- Drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages
- Smoking
- The use of some medications, including drugs used to treat attention deficit hyper activity disorder, depression and seizures
Teeth grinding effects: How does bruxism damage your health?
A single episode of bruxism is unlikely to cause significant damage to your teeth. But those who have a habit of grinding their teeth – even if they don’t realize they are doing so – can experience dental damage over time.
When you grind your teeth excessively, it can result in flattening and chipping. You might even crack your teeth or fillings, or cause them to come loose. Tooth pain and sensitivity also may result.
Jaw pain and discomfort also is commonly associated with bruxism. Your jaw muscles may become sore, or the jaw or its muscles might feel tight.
Facial pain and headaches are associated with bruxism. It’s even possible that grinding your teeth could lead to ringing in the ear and hearing loss, Messina says.
How to treat bruxism
In some cases, people are not aware that they are grinding their teeth habitually. The first indication of a problem might be when a dentist examines your teeth and notices wear patterns consistent with bruxism.
However, others might experience symptoms related to their teeth grinding. Disorders of the temporomandibular joint – which connects the jawbone to the skull – often are the result of bruxism, for example.
TMJ disorders can lead to pain and discomfort. “Sometimes, TMJ issues can mimic migraine headaches or even inner-ear problems, Messina says.
If you experience symptoms such as tooth or jaw pain or discomfort, call your dentist and have the condition evaluated.
Sometimes, a simple examination and medical history is enough to diagnose that you have a significant problem with bruxism. In other cases, a dentist might suggest that you undergo a sleep study that will provide a better sense of whether you are grinding your teeth at night.
The good news is that bruxism typically can be treated effectively. “Your dentist has a number of different ways to help you feel better,” Messina says.
Treatments used for bruxism include:
- Relaxation exercises. Learning to respond better to stress so you minimize its effect might reduce bruxism. “Just talking about how stress affects our bodies and working to reduce the stress – or using things like yoga or just taking a walk – can be very helpful,” Messina says.
- Changes in your behavior. Learning to rest your mouth and jaw in a new position might reduce your likelihood of clenching and grinding teeth. Your dentist also might suggest that you write notes to yourself or set an alarm that will remind you to consciously avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Use of an appliance. Your dentist might recommend that you wear a mouthguard that will help separate your teeth. Most patients wear this type of intraoral appliance only at night, but in severe cases, you also might be asked to wear it during the day.
If damage related to bruxism is already severe, you might also undergo dental treatment to repair teeth that have been damaged. In some cases, crowns might be necessary to restore your dental health.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171144" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1702269556377{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/xylident-retainer-cleaning-tablets"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171143" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1702269574514{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/herb-pharm-gum-guardian-herbal-mouthwash"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171145" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1702269593508{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/codeage-teeth-gums-vitamins-oral-probiotics-calcium-collagen-potassium-zinc"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
