Stress is kicking us in the teeth

Times are tough, but the Midwestern work ethic says grin and bear it.

Grind and bear it may be more accurate.

A North Liberty dentist reports some of her patients are so stressed, it's taking a toll on their teeth.

Dr. Kristen Waldschmidt of North Liberty Dental has heard complaints of jaw pain and headaches from patients in her dental chair.

“When I ask if they are stressed, they nod,” said Waldschmidt. “That's when they make the connection. They are clenching their mouth a lot because of that stress.”

The unconscious grinding and clenching of teeth is called bruxism. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to teeth sensitivity, headaches, jaw pain and even cracked teeth.

Not every dentist reports an increase in the number of teeth grinders, though.

“It's a very common problem,” said Dr. Douglas Horton, a Cedar Rapids dentist. “We have those all the time.”

Still, Waldschmidt says she's making more mouth guards than usual. A mouth guard protects teeth at night, helping grinders not add dental bills to their list of worries.

“I'd say we've had an increase within the last six to 12 months,” Waldschmidt said.

Stress can lead to other mouth problems, too, like canker sores and dry mouth.

The American Academy of Periodontology warns that financial stress and patients subsequently scaling back dental maintenance also may create an increase in periodontal gum disease, which may lead to even more serious health problems. So dentists stress the importance of healthy oral hygiene habits.

“Brush your teeth regularly, see your dentist every six months and eat healthy foods,” said Dr. Thomas Peek with Cedar Rapids Endodontics.

Preventive care, he said, is better than the alternative.