STRESS AND JAW PAIN
Jaw pain is a major indicator of stress. Many people unconsciously clench their jaw and grind their teeth in their sleep, but it is also extremely common to do so during waking hours without noticing.
Stress is the state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. It is how the body reacts to and handles itself during difficult situations, and everyone experiences it differently. The most common harmful symptoms of stress are panic attacks, heart and blood pressure problems, difficulty sleeping, and bruxism (clenching and grinding the teeth).
Unattended bruxism can cause tooth and jaw pain. Grinding weakens the enamel layer of the teeth, leaving them at greater risk of developing cavities, becoming infected, or fracturing. The jaw becomes overworked, and soreness is a common result. While your teeth can be saved by wearing a night guard (a special mouthguard made by your dentist for use overnight while you sleep), the protective layer between your teeth will not necessarily prevent jaw and neck pain.
The best way to prevent jaw pain resulting from bruxism is to reduce stress. With reduced stress, you will likely not clench your jaw as much. If your jaw pain was caused by clenching, reducing the amount of clenching you do on a daily or nightly basis will alleviate the pain.
While over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can give you some temporary relief, reducing stress is the best long-term solution. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet, then consider the following six tips for reducing stress:
1. Identify what is causing you stress - note the time, place, and activities in your day that you feel most stressed.
2. Avoid stressful situations - lack of hours in the day or excess tasks can cause you to feel stressed. Try to plan ahead for situations you know will be stressful and build in extra time for tasks you may have overlooked or will take more time than anticipated. Prioritize what needs to be done now and what can wait for another day, and get help when you need it. Appreciate what you have accomplished!
3. Alter your response to stressors - if you cannot avoid stress, recognize that it is more beneficial to take a few seconds to breathe and think about how to solve the problem. Do not simply react to all stressful situations.
4. Accept that you cannot control everything - it is good to wake up and “seize the day,” but sometimes the day has other plans in mind. Being able to go with the flow will allow stress to roll over your back.
5. Live healthy - eat a balanced and nutritious diet, maintain a quality sleep schedule, and exercise regularly.
6. Relax! - set aside enough time to truly relax. Use this time to clear your mind from your daily tasks and focus on your breathing. Meditation, yoga, or just sitting and listening to music will help your mind relax, and when your mind can relax, so can your body.
If these tips are not enough to alleviate your jaw pain, the problem may require professional treatment. A dentist or physical therapist can help to reduce pain associated with bruxism, headaches, or decreased range of motion due to your jaw pain.
Keep in mind that, if pain goes untreated, it may lead to the condition worsening and even the need for extraction.