How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

Jun 1 • 2 minute read

When most people think about stress causing problems for their health, they think about stress headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or feeling overstimulated. But did you know stress can also cause some pretty serious problems for your oral health?

When you go to the dentist for an exam and cleaning, your mouth can give your dentist clues about just how stressed you are. Your body reacts to stress in all kinds of different ways, and many people don’t realize chronic stress can harm your teeth, gums, and jaw.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

One of the most common ways stress shows up in your mouth is signs of teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism. Many who experience this condition grind their teeth at night while they're asleep. Some don't even know they're doing it. Teeth grinding wears down tooth enamel (the hard outer layer of your teeth), causing pain, sensitivity, chips, and cracks.

If your dentist sees flat or chipped teeth and you don’t remember any injury, stress-related grinding might be the reason. You might also feel jaw pain or wake up with a sore face or headaches.

Jaw Clenching

Some people clench their jaw when they’re tense or frustrated. This constant pressure can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. TMJ pain is most commonly felt when you chew, talk, or yawn.

Jaw clenching can also affect tooth alignment and even cause muscles in your face to feel tight or fatigued.

Gum Problems

There are many well-documented studies showing stress can weaken your immune system. When your immune system is compromised, it makes it harder for your body to fight off infections—including gum disease. If you're under constant stress, it's easier for bacteria to take hold and really wreak havoc on your teeth's supporting structures.

Dry Mouth

Stress and certain types of medications for stress can cause dry mouth. Many people breathe through their mouths more when they're anxious or take medications that affect saliva. Saliva helps protect your teeth, so less of it means a higher risk for cavities.

Stress Prevention

The good news is that once you know stress is affecting your mouth, you can take steps to protect yourself. Try stress-reducing activities like walking, breathwork, or listening to music. Talk to your dentist if you know you grind your teeth—they might recommend a mouthguard to wear at night.

Most importantly, don’t skip your regular dental checkups. Dentists are trained to spot signs of stress-related issues in your mouth, sometimes even before you notice them yourself.