Stress Effects on Teeth

Stress harms teeth. Teeth do not show any effects of stress as clearly as other parts of the body do. However, studies have shown that the enamel that covers the teeth can begin to wear away as a result of increased levels of stress within the individual’s body. This enamel is needed to protect the teeth from decay and damage. Without it, teeth become more susceptible to decay.

Stress can also cause the individual to experience dry mouth, which can lead to an increase in dental problems. In extreme cases, increased stress can even cause people to grind their teeth together. This grinding can lead to tooth damage and tooth loss. Stress has many harmful effects on the human body, but perhaps one of the most visible of these effects is the deterioration of the individual’s teeth.

Bruxism is the condition in which an individual’s teeth grind against each other while sleeping. Often, the individual is not even aware that they are grinding their teeth because they sleep through the behaviour. However, bruxism does impact the teeth in such a way that it is visible to dental professionals. For example, the cusps on the teeth become flattened, there may be the development of facets on the teeth as a result of grinding, and there may even be micro-fractures in the enamel of the teeth as a result of the grinding of the teeth. These changes are indicative of the effects of stress upon the teeth. For Dentist Bournemouth, consider //gentledentistry.co.uk/

Each of the jaw muscles that are associated with bruxism is considered to be the strongest of the human body relative to their size. These muscles are capable of exerting forces onto the teeth of an individual that far exceed the forces that are exerted onto the teeth during the act of chewing. Also, these forces are often applied to the teeth during sleep, over the course of many months or even years. These forces will cause damage to the teeth of the individual who experiences bruxism, which will lead to a visit to the dentist for treatment.