Stress is such a big part of most people’s daily lives that there is an entire day dedicated to the awareness of it all. This year, we all acknowledge the role stress plays in our lives on November 3, and we do what we can to eliminate it ahead of what some consider the most stressful two months of the year. 

Stress can manifest in many different ways; one of which is by causing problems in your mouth, such as teeth grinding, TMJ pain, gum disease, and much more. 

Grinding or clenching your teeth, also known as bruxism, is a well-known sign of stress or anxiety. The difficult part about this is that many people do it subconsciously, oftentimes in their sleep. While a night mouthguard can be a good option, it is always wise to consult your dentist to be sure that is the root cause of your pain and that there are no long-term effects from your bruxism. 

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is found in the muscles and joints of your jaw. Those experiencing TMJ pain find it hard to eat, chew, and sometimes even open their mouth. There are signs to look for, including sore jaw muscles and a pop or click in your jaw. If you are experiencing jaw pain or soreness, especially while under a great amount of stress, even if you don’t hear pops or clicks, you should make an appointment to see your dentist. Stress is the number one cause of TMJ, so your dentist will work with you to find a solution that best fits your lifestyle, such as Botox. 

Stress can cause even more severe issues, such as gum disease and infections; over half of all adults in America have periodontitis, which is the most severe form of gum disease. Stress can cause a weakened immune system, which can lead to oral infections and other bacteria spreading through your gums. 

Chronic or severe stress can also manifest into dry mouth and canker sores. While a dry mouth can generally be treated by drinking plenty of water and using non-alcoholic mouthwash, you should see your dentist if you experience dry mouth often and more than just during stressful periods. Canker sores are painful sores that are formed on the tissue of your mouth. Stress can increase the risk of developing these canker sores, and each one takes between 10 and 14 days to fully heal. While most canker sores can be treated at home, you should call your dentist if you are constantly battling them. As you can see, stress has a crazy way of affecting your daily life. If you’ve noticed any of these above symptoms (or anything else relating to your mouth, gums, or teeth), give us a call. We know that everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, but we’d love to help you reduce yours – whether that’s a mouthguard to cut down on your grinding, Botox to help reduce your TMJ, or anything else that works for your specific situation.

Every April we acknowledge the causes, symptoms, and treatments for stress. For around 30 years, Stress Awareness Month has strived to bring awareness to the ways stress impacts our daily routines and what we can do about it. In order to find ways to alleviate stress, it’s first important to identify the cause and what symptoms you may be experiencing, even without realizing it. Teeth grinding and clenching your jaw are common signs of stress or anxiety and can have damaging effects if they continue in the long term. 

Effects of Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, also referred to as Bruxism, occurs when you are constantly grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth together. This behavior can be unconscious, and you may notice that it increases when you’re feeling stressed or while sleeping. Grinding your teeth can chip and fracture your teeth as well as cause them to become loosened from the repeated pressure. Your tooth enamel can also be worn down, which leads to increased pain and sensitivity. Along with the effects on your teeth, Bruxism can cause jaw pain and headaches. 

What Treatments are Available?

One way to reduce teeth grinding is to start by managing your stress. Find ways to keep yourself relaxed or make note of times when you’re feeling stressed and focus on keeping your jaw relaxed to prevent clenching or grinding your teeth together. Practicing relaxation techniques can also help you reduce this behavior. Some dentists may recommend a mouth guard for sleeping which can keep you from gnashing your teeth at night. Another option that’s been proven beneficial is that of Botox®. Botox® relieves tension in the jaw by making the muscles unable to physically perform the movements that cause the pain, especially when they are unconscious. If you notice any tooth or jaw pain, or have chips and fractures as a result of teeth grinding, it is important to get in to see a dentist who can recommend a personalized treatment plan.  

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we want everyone to feel confident and happy with their smile. If you have teeth grinding tendencies or have noticed the effects of grinding your teeth, we can help you restore, and even improve, your smile. We can address and fix any painful teeth as a result of damaged enamel and can repair any chips with our aesthetic contouring services. Long-term teeth grinding can lead to more significant issues down the road, so it’s important to not put this off. Give us a call at (865) 584-6163 or visit our website to request an appointment.