People feel anxiety for a number of different reasons, and this in turn leads them to deal with it in a multitude of ways. Some people choose to exercise, and others just take a moment to breathe deeply. Unfortunately, another common way many people cope with stress and anxiety is by clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth. Most don’t even realize that they are doing it, and what they may not know is that they could be putting their smile in danger, which is absolutely the last thing you need when you’re already stressed! Today, a dentist discusses how this can impact a person’s smile over time, as well as what they can do about this sneaky habit.
Anxiety and Your Teeth
Anxiety is a very common response to modern life, and it’s perfectly normal to feel that way from time to time. However, if it leads you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth, you could be doing quite a bit of harm to your smile and not even know it. For many people, their stress response actually leads to a condition called bruxism, which is where a person grinds their teeth while they are asleep.
The human jaw is capable of exerting about 171 pounds of pressure, and if that pressure is placed directly on the teeth, it can damage them very easily. When the teeth are ground together, this causes small portions of enamel to be sheared off. This can make a tooth appear misshapen over time, cause it to be much more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and eventually, the tooth may even break. Persistent clenching and grinding can also damage the sensitive jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and this can lead to chronic pain in the jaw, face, neck and head.
What To Do About It
If your teeth are starting to show your stress levels, there are a few simple things you can do about it.
First, try to identify the source of your anxiety. What exactly causes you to clench your jaw? Since you might not really know, you’ll probably need to pay extra attention during your day so you can spot your own personal triggers. Once you determine what they are, see if there is anything you can do about them to lessen your anxiety. It could be as simple as taking a few moments to relax, breathe, and gently stretch your jaw muscles. Often, simply discovering what causes you to clench your jaw is enough to help you consciously stop.
Your dentist can also be a big help as well. If you’re having trouble not grinding your teeth or you suffer from bruxism, just let your dentist know and they can supply you with a custom-made mouthpiece called a nightguard. You’ll simply need to wear it to bed, and it will place a protective barrier between your teeth to prevent them from being damaged due to grinding. From there, you may choose to enter talk therapy or use other forms of stress relief, and your dentist can advise you on this as well.
We all show our stress and anxiety in different ways, but if it’s impacting your smile, you should consult your local dentist sooner rather than later. They can help you protect your teeth and find a long term solution to your problem. With their help, you should be able to stop grinding your teeth, which will give you just one less thing to worry about!
About the Author
Dr. Jack Bickford is a family, restorative, and cosmetic dentist based near Hiram, GA. He currently practices at Distinctive Dentistry, and if you are currently having problems with jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or bruxism due to anxiety, he knows how to help. To reach him, simply contact him through his website or by phone at (770) 445-6606.
