Most of us deal with some degree of stress or anxiety on a day to day basis. However, for a small number of people, recurrent high stress levels are the norm, and this can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing. Not only have stress and anxiety been proven to contribute towards many chronic conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, it can also damage your dental health.
 

Dental problems associated with stress and anxiety

There are a number of different dental problems that have been linked to persistent levels of stress and/or anxiety. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly reported.
 

Bruxism

Bruxism is a term used to describe someone who unconsciously, or sometimes subconsciously, clenches and grinds their teeth. This usually happens when they are asleep, and they wake with symptoms that include:

-         A painful stiff jaw

-         Sensitive teeth

-         Earache

-         Tooth sensitivity

Patients who suffer from bruxism may experience a range of different dental problems, including pain, problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and damage to the teeth and gums.

In some cases, a patient may grind or clench their teeth so hard that, over a period of time, one or more teeth become loose and fall out. Fortunately, there are many tooth replacement options available.
 

Gum Disease

Also known by several other names including periodontal diseases and periodontitis, gum disease is a leading cause of many dental problems, including tooth loss. Research from multiple sources has shown there to be a link between the negative emotions associated with stress and the development of gum disease.

In cases of gum disease, the bacteria that is present on the inside edges of the teeth begins to penetrate below the gum. When this happens, the bacteria cause irritation and infection, which unless treated, can spread throughout the soft tissue of the move, and even eventually penetrate the jaw bone. At this stage of the disease, tooth loss is almost guaranteed.
 

Poor dental hygiene

When we feel very stressed or anxious, it can be difficult to organize our thoughts and remember everything that we need to do in a day, even when it is a routine that we have been performing for years. One of the first things to fall by the wayside when we are under significant strain is taking good care of ourselves – and this includes our dental health. We may feel too tired or drained to brush and floss as we should, and reliance on ‘comfort’ foods, alcohol and tobacco are all extremely common – and all spell disaster for our teeth unless kept in tight moderation.

Failing to take adequate care of our teeth for a day or two may not be too bothersome, but extended periods of failed self-care will put the health and longevity of your smile at risk. Decay and periodontal disease can both cause tooth loss if left untreated.
 

So, can stress or anxiety cause your teeth to shift/move?

The answer is a resounding YES!

If feeling stressed or anxious causes you to develop bruxism, over time the regular grinding and clenching of your teeth and the subsequent pressure on them could cause them to alter position slightly. This is because grinding forces the lower jaw forward and puts tension on the upper teeth. The continual thrusting affects the position of the upper arch, edging it out of alignment.

If your dental health becomes severely compromised, you may suffer from tooth loss. The gaps created by teeth that are lost provide your remaining teeth with enough space to enable them to shift to take advantage of the room left. This can cause further gaps to open up in your teeth and affect the appearance and health of your entire smile.   

If you are concerned that stress may be causing your teeth to move, Dr. Wright and the team here at Eagle Gate Dental will be happy to advise and reassure you. Telephone our team or pop in to our Salt Lake City offices to make an appointment.