Effects of Stress on the Body & Mouth

It is time that you garden away the stress and cultivate a calmer you! Stress is incredibly harmful on the body and especially the mouth. It can manifest in teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to Temoromandibular Joint Disorder, aka TMD. The clenching and grinding can also lead to cracked teeth, worn teeth, and other damage, which often requires tooth crowns or other fixes.

When it comes to TMD, it can become a very serious problem if it is not taken care of. It is an inflammation in the jaw joint; it affects up to 30 million North Americans – the majority of which are women. TMD can lead to:

• Earaches
• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Tooth damage
• Gum trauma and disease

Why not try something to deal with the stress? One common way to help with stress is to do something calming, like gardening? You get lots of fresh air, exercise, communing with nature, and creating something truly wonderful and beautiful. It can greatly help your mind and reduce the stress hormone called cortisol.

Don’t have a green thumb? Try something else! You would much rather find a new hobby than spend thousands on dental services. However, if you are in need of dental services, then reach out to Rubino Dentistry.

Unexplained Head Pain? Talk with Your Dentist

Do you suffer from headaches? Ringing in the ears? Neck pain? Don't simply blame your exhaustion, migraines, or allergies! You may have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD. This Manifests when inflammation of the joint connecting the lower jaw to the skull is caused by clenching and grinding (often due to stress), an uneven bite, and even arthritis. 

TMD affects up to 30 million North Americans, and the majority of that crowd are women. 

What are the symptoms? 

• Earaches or headaches
• Popping or clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth
• Restricted jaw movements
• Having some pain in the lower face or jaw
• Pain in your neck, shoulders, or even your upper back

TMD an lead to other oral health problems such as gum disease, chewing problems, and damaged teeth. 

There is therapy that can be provided by your local dentist, such as use of oral appliances, medications to reduce inflammation and pain, and even alterations to your diet and daily routines. We will likely have to make a mention of this to your doctor due to other serious medical conditions that can stem from TMD. 

Every patient will have a customized plan for treatment from Dr. Ross Rubino. 

Do you or someone you know have any of these symptoms? Then chat with Dr. Rubino and explore your treatment options.