Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Stress?

Perhaps you aren’t dealing with the type of toothache that shows up when you have a cavity. Instead, you notice that your teeth sometimes hurt when you’ve been feeling quite stressed. This might be something you notice throughout the day, in the evening, or when you first wake up in the morning. So, is there something wrong with your oral health, are you doing something you’re not aware of, and what can you do to avoid the tooth pain? We can help.

It May Be Bruxism

Do you happen to know if you tense your jaws up, grind, or clench your teeth when you’re stressed? If you answer, “yes,” then this may be your coping mechanism to handle that stress. If you answered, “I’m not sure,” that doesn’t mean that you aren’t grinding or clenching your teeth. You may be doing so involuntarily, which we call bruxism. It can happen during waking hours or while sleeping! Stress can make it worse. Whether you’re grinding and clenching voluntarily or not, this can cause tooth pain and is something we can help you with.

What To Do?

If you are suffering from tooth pain because of the way you deal with stress (or because stress is contributing to your bruxism), we strongly advise you to come in to see us. We may be able to put a stop to the pain and prevent damage with the help of a simple treatment: You will wear a mouthguard at night that acts as a cushion. We can also determine whether you have experienced any damage and repair it. In addition, we will suggest methods of stress-relief that can help you reduce the grinding and clenching.

Stop Stress-Related Smile Pain With Our Help

Speak with us about your tension and your smile, so we may guide you toward the treatment best suited to preventing discomfort. Learn more by scheduling a visit in Prairie Village, KS by calling Robert M Browne, DDS at (913) 901-8585.