Managing stress is essential for your mental health, but can it also affect your dental health? In this guide, Mark L. Civin, DDS, answers the question, “Can tooth pain be caused by stress?” Learn the surprising ways stress affects teeth and what you can do to maintain good oral health.
As a dentist in Palm Beach Gardens, Mark L. Civin, DDS, helps patients like you understand the root of their tooth pain and manage it.
Common Toothache Causes
When you get a toothache, the pain may seem like it comes out of nowhere. Dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, cracked teeth, and infections often result in tooth pain that ranges from minor and intermittent to severe and unmanageable.
Non-dental issues like stress can also impact your teeth. Not only can tooth pain be caused by stress, but you may experience a toothache because of the following causes:
- Sinus infection
- The flu or common cold
- Pregnancy
- Anxiety
Seek treatment from an experienced dentist if you experience tooth pain but don’t know the cause. Your dentist can examine your teeth for any physical causes, like a cavity, and talk to you about causes you may not have considered, like stress.
How Can Tooth Pain Be Caused By Stress?
The link between good health and a good smile is clear. When you feel stressed, it affects different parts of your body, including your teeth. Let’s explore the specific ways stress affects teeth and leads to tooth pain.
Teeth Grinding
The body’s natural response to stress is tension throughout the muscles. When you feel stressed, you’re especially likely to clench your jaw and grind your teeth. Consistently grinding your teeth results in the protective layer of enamel wearing down.
Most people grind their teeth while they sleep, so you might not be aware that this is happening until you start experiencing frequent toothaches. Consult with a dentist who can inspect your tooth enamel and provide solutions.
Gum Disease
Feeling sick or run down after a stressful period isn’t unusual. Stress greatly weakens your body’s immune response to fight off infection. If harmful bacteria impact your gums, you’ll have a harder time recovering and could experience tooth pain on a regular basis due to the beginning stages of gum disease.
Managing your stress is key to avoiding gum disease and other infections.
Lack of Oral Hygiene
How can tooth pain be caused by stress? When you have a lot on your plate, you don’t always have the time or energy to carry out simple tasks like brushing or flossing your teeth. Neglecting basic oral hygiene can quickly devolve into painful toothaches along with other problems like:
- Cavities
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
How To Prevent Stress-Related Toothaches
Managing stress is easier said than done. If you want to limit your tooth pain, it’s vital that you take control of the stressors in your life. Not only will your mental health improve, but your dental and oral health will see the benefits too.
You can manage stress-related tooth pain by incorporating the following measures into your daily routine:
- Meditating or doing deep breathing exercises
- Getting adequate sleep every night
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Going for walks or getting exercise
- Listening to music
- Talking with a loved one
In addition to these measures, you can also try wearing a mouth guard to protect your enamel from wearing if you grind your teeth.
Call Mark L. Civin, DDS, for Tooth Pain Solutions
Now you know that the answer to “Can tooth pain be caused by stress?” is “yes.” If you experience frequent toothaches or find your teeth are chipping off, don’t delay making an appointment with trusted Palm Beach Gardens dentist Mark L. Civin, DDS. Dr. Civin specializes in restorative dentistry so you can have a healthier, brighter smile.
Call his office at (561) 624-2224 or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
