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Posted on 9/25/2017 by Dr. Kelsey Ullsmith |
 When you are under stress, it can affect your health in many ways. It can cause you headaches, backaches, and many other issues. But it can also affect your teeth. How is that possible, you may ask. Well, here is how it is possible.
High stress can cause teeth grinding and clenching. Though you may notice this when you are awake, the odds are, you will likely not notice it when you are asleep. But don't feel badly about that because most people who grind or clench their teeth at night do not know that they are doing it. Frequently they only find out when a spouse or family member points it out to them. How Will You Know? When you clench or grind your teeth at night, you may wake up with a headache or sore teeth or jaw muscles. This can be an indication that you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night. When your clenching or grinding is severe, it can lead to temporomandibular joint syndrome or TMJ. This syndrome can cause pain or tightness in the jaw area because the temporomandibular joint is the joint where your upper and lower jaw meet. If the is pain truly severe, it can cause your teeth to be misaligned in the morning as a result of your jaw involvement. Clenching and grinding your teeth can also wear down the enamel on your teeth. It can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear down. Usually, this is on the chewing surface of our teeth which can, in turn, cause you to chew differently as your teeth seek out a surface that will sufficiently help the chewing mechanism. If you think you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night, it is important to visit your dentist and make him aware of your concerns. Your dentist can determine if you are suffering from this behavior and may prescribe a night guard to protect your teeth. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (360) 647-1715 today. |
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