Stress and Teeth Grinding

Stress.

We all know that stress can wreak havoc on our minds and our bodies. Now add teeth to the list. Yes, in an article in The New York Times, today, a dentist said had this to say about how stress is showing up in the mouths of his patients:

"I’m seeing a lot more people that are anxious, stressed out and very concerned about their financial futures and they’re taking it out on their teeth,” said Dr. Steven Butensky, a dentist in Manhattan."

According to the article, teeth grinding can lead to a host of problems. "Some nocturnal grinders will grind up to 40 minutes of every hour of sleep. The relentless wear and tear can quickly erode enamel (10 times faster than that of nongrinders), fracture teeth, affect bite and damage the temporomandibular joint at the hinge of the jaw, and the masseter muscle, which controls the jaws. Jaw and face pain, as well as earaches and headaches, may also occur."

If you're experiencing any pain or discomfort you think might be related to nocturnal -- or daytime teeth grinding -- call Dr. Jergins.

"We like to start with a full exam and listen to any problems our patient might be having," Dr. Jergins says. "Many times, patients don't realize that facial pain, or ear pain, might actually be the result of teeth grinding. Once we make that initial assessment, we can talk about ways to reduce discomfort and treat damaged teeth."

One of the most common treatments for nighttime teeth grinding is wearing a night guard. Dr. Jergins stresses that while mail-order night guards, or drug store kits might be attractive price wise, they usually do not address the problem adequately.

"It would be similar to buying a denture off the shelf," says Dr. Jergins. "A custom-fitted night guard really will provide superior fit and results."

And, because teeth grinding can make for a very bad night's sleep, seeing a professional is the best option for helping you rest well and feel better in the morning.