{"id":582,"date":"2021-04-16T08:11:12","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T08:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/mhnpc\/?p=582"},"modified":"2025-12-17T09:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T09:01:53","slug":"stress-induced-teeth-grinding-increases-tmj-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/mhnpc\/2021\/04\/16\/stress-induced-teeth-grinding-increases-tmj-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress-Induced Teeth Grinding Increases TMJ Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stress-Induced Teeth Grinding Results in TMJ Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n

By Dr. James Fricton<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is well documented that stress triggers or worsens TMDs and TMJ.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What the MN Head & Neck Pain Clinic often hears is confusion about the seriousness, diagnoses, and\u00a0prevalence of TMJ pain<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0when life is more stressful than usual. The COVID-19 experience is an extremely stressful time for many. Currently, many people who are experiencing jaw pain and headaches are more focused on relieving pandemic-related stressors and are unaware of how or when to seek care with a TMJ and orofacial pain dental specialist. In the midst of multiple reports that teeth grinding increases TMJ cases, our pain specialists are here to help.<\/p>\n

This article hopes to reach and encourage that underserved patient population. In-office jaw pain diagnosis and treatment,\u00a0telemedicine pain consultations<\/a><\/strong>, and at-home jaw sprain tools are available.<\/p>\n

Subconscious Bruxism and Teeth Grinding Issues Triggered by Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The New York Times February 16, 2021,\u00a0Grind Your Teeth? Your Night Guard May Not Be the Right Fix<\/em>\u00a0article\u00a0[3]<\/sup>\u00a0states, \u201cdentists have reported an increase in patients with tooth fractures since the start of the pandemic, which they attribute to bruxism, the technical term for\u00a0gritting, grinding, or clenching your teeth<\/a><\/strong>. Thought to be precipitated or exacerbated by stress and anxiety, bruxism is largely subconscious and often occurs during sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Temporomandibular, or TMJ, disorders are dependent on a number of factors or causes that trigger both physical and psychological outcomes. Recent studies cover early research on the relationship that COVID-19 is playing as a major life stressor that is escalating the number of jaw pain patients. Additionally, we see the number of\u00a0sports-related TMJ issues<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0on the rise.<\/p>\n

Health professionals at MN Head & Neck Pain Clinic treated many more TMJ cases during the pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This aligns with findings at the American Dental Association \u2013 stress-related jaw and oral problems are up across the United States.<\/p>\n

Slightly over 70% of dentists surveyed report an increase of patients experiencing teeth grinding and clenching. These are conditions often associated with stress \u2014 up from just under 60% from the previous fall. To be more accurate statistically, \u201c71% of dentists surveyed reported an increase in prevalence of teeth grinding and clenching\u201d, reported Kimber Solana on March 02, 2021.<\/p>\n

The HPI poll:\u00a0HPI poll: Dentists see increased prevalence of stress-related oral health conditions<\/a>\u00a0also states that 63% reported chipped teeth; 63% reported cracked teeth; and 62% indicated temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms (which includes headaches and jaw pain).<\/p>\n

The November 30, 2020, MDPI article titled \u201cCoronavirus Lockdown as a Major Life Stressor: Does It Affect TMD Symptoms?<\/a>\u201d by Dr. Sabina Saccomanno and 6 additional healthcare entities in Italy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe results of this study seem to support the hypothesis of a\u00a0lockdown as a major stressful event that may trigger temporomandibular disorders<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or increase their reported symptoms in subjects already suffering from this dysfunctional pathology. Almost all of the 51.4% of subjects who reported a worsening of TMD symptoms in the last month related this condition to the coronavirus lockdown and to the stress experienced in that period. These subjects seem to be characterized by greater depressive symptoms, greater stress experienced, and greater painful symptoms affecting the temporomandibular joint.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also helps a person suffering from jaw pain in discussing their TMJ condition with medical professionals when they understand some core medical terms.<\/p>\n

Are Bruxism and TMJ the same thing?<\/h3>\n

TMJ Disorders and\u00a0Bruxism diagnosis<\/a>\u00a0have a difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Individuals that have bruxism grind their teeth. A TMJ disorder describes a condition that involves pain and incorrect functioning of the muscles and joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Bruxism is often triggered by TMD, but bruxism can in turn also cause or exacerbate TMD.<\/p>\n

How is COVID-19 Causing Increased Jaw Pain Cases?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here are potential ways that COVID-19 is contributing to the increase in jaw pain patients:<\/strong><\/p>\n