Stress and Jaw Pain
There is a known connection between jaw pain and high levels of stress. Stress is out body’s natural reaction to harmful situations. Patients who experience high levels of stress for long periods of time may experience physical discomfort. It is common for patients to clench their teeth when they are under stress. Clenching the teeth puts added pressure on the jaw joint and strain on the surrounding muscles. When a patient frequently clenches the jaw or grinds their teeth, it can result in jaw soreness, muscle and tooth pain, or headaches.
Below are tips for managing and reducing stress. Patients may find relief from these practices:
- Acceptance: Learn to accept things which are outside your control. Avoid having an emotional response or responding in anger. Begin a practice of gratitude. Make a grateful lists of things you appreciate.
- Habits & Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. This includes a good sleep routine. Aim to get eight hours of sleep daily. Exercise prompts your body to release endorphins and is an important aspect of health. Find an exercise which is enjoyable such as bike riding, tennis, walking, and running.
- Planning & Response: Identify stressful situations and plan ahead. Train yourself to control your response. Slowly inhale, count to three, and control your exhale. Set realistic expectations and prioritize what matters. Say “no” when you need to and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Relax: In some cases, stress is unavoidable. Find ways to balance unavoidable stress with a relaxing activity like music, meditation, yoga, or enjoyable activities.
- Triggers: Identify stressful situations or triggers. Make a log or journal to make note of patterns. Knowing what prompts stress in your life can help you plan and prepare for it.
One of the most common causes for jaw pain is bruxism or chronic grinding of the teeth. When a patient chronically grinds their teeth and clenches their jaw, it can cause discomfort and damage the teeth. In many cases, patients grind their teeth while they are sleeping. They often aren’t even aware they are doing it. The dentist often informs patients of the habit.
Dentists often suggest patients use a night guard. This helps protect the teeth from the grinding. Night guards act as a barrier and prevent the teeth from making contact, preventing damage. Guards are made from a soft silicone material and can be created by the dentist using a customized mold or purchased over-the-counter to make at home. Night guards can be an affordable and effective method used to protect the teeth from grinding. Once patients begin using the guards, they often notice a significant improvement in their jaw pain.
Some patients with persistent jaw pain find relief from physical therapy. Physical therapists use various techniques such as massage, manipulation, dry needling, and other practices to alleviate the pain. Benefits from physical therapy include:
- Eliminates dietary restrictions
- Fewer headaches
- Improved flexibility and range of motion
- Less neck pain
- Reduced locking of the jaw
- Restored function
Patients should take their jaw pain seriously. If you have jaw pain, be sure to follow up with your dentist. The dentist will complete an evaluation to determine the cause and create a treatment plan. When it is left untreated, jaw pain can result in serious and long-term problems.