Can Stress Cause Tooth Pain? How To Stress Less
Have you got lots of tooth pain going on? Yet you just kind of know it’s not tooth decay or dental problems? Have you wondered can stress cause tooth pain? Maybe you did and then dismissed it as silly. I mean, seriously, how can high stress levels cause dental pain? Right?
The truth is quite strange! Chronic stress has been linked to oral health issues such as jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, and unhealthy eating habits that, in turn, can lead to dental damage. So, if you have tooth pain caused by stress, this article explores the ways stress can lead to tooth pain and, most importantly, some very simple solutions you are going to want to put into action immediately.
Can Emotional Pain Cause Tooth Pain?
The answer is, definitely yes!!! Anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and extreme stress can all affect your teeth. We tend to assume that tooth pain must mean poor oral hygiene but not necessarily! For many people whose emotional pain has been the main cause of their tooth pain, they actually practice good oral hygiene. In other words, their tooth pain is a result of emotional symptoms of stress.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Stress
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to help you visualize a future where you are calm and in control and stress less about everyday things.
Other Than Dental Issues, What Else Can Cause Tooth Pain?
Several issues start out having nothing to do with your dental health and can end up causing tooth pain, such as:
- Sinus Inflammation: I can personally vouch for this being true. Twice a year, I get massive sinus infections which cause the lining of my sinus cavities to become inflamed and swollen. This puts pressure on my trigeminal nerve and causes dental pain. I find that placing something cold (like a cold face cloth) over my forehead or nostrils works a treat. I also take both paracetamol to lower the elevated temperature caused by the inflammation and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. In my case, taking antihistamines also works because there is an allergy component to my problem.
- Teeth Grinding: For many people who have lots of stress going on in their lives, it can be quite common to grind their teeth in their sleep. It’s as if they are “chewing over” their problem. Damage to their teeth can result in having to wear a mouth guard at night. This can also cause jaw muscles to be very sore, typically in the lower jaw. This can be helped by learning relaxation techniques. You can find more information and a helpful hypnosis download called “Stop Teeth Grinding” right here on this website.
- TMJ Joint Tension: TMJ disorders (temporomandibular joint disorder) can definitely lead to tooth pain. The reason is that your TMJ joint is located very close to some major nerves, not least of which is your trigeminal verve, a major nerve serving most of your facial area. Joint misalignment can lead to pain radiating out and causing facial pain or chronic pain in your teeth and all along your gum line.
Can Mental Health Affect Teeth?
Your mental health can have an impact on your teeth. Studies have shown that people who suffer from clinical depression are more likely to have oral health problems. This is because when you are overwhelmed with negative emotions, it’s quite easy to forget to take good care of your mouth. The adverse effects of depression can also be found in a lack of sleep. Sleep quality is generally not as good if you’re suffering from depression and when this happens, your body starts experiencing more inflammation which, in turn, can lead to periodontal disease and possible tooth loss.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Stress
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to help you visualize a future where you are calm and in control and stress less about everyday things.
Why Do I Get Stressed?
I regularly explain to my clients that there is no such thing as a “stressful job”. There are no such things as “stressful situations”. Stress is a response that comes from inside of us. This is why one person will call a job stressful and the next person will enjoy it immensely. We need to start educating people to stop blaming their stress on people, situations, jobs, family circumstances, etc. If you want to know who is responsible for doing stress, look in the mirror. The answer to the question “Why do I get stressed?” is because you choose that reaction.
This is where some of my clients have said “No, I don’t choose to be stressed. That’s not true!”. My reply is that if you’re not choosing a calm response, then you are choosing stress, whether you are aware of it or not. When you have a stress response, the body produces stress hormones such as cortisol. Too much cortisol over a prolonged period can cause high blood pressure and a weakened immune system.
How Can I Stop Stressing?
Here are some tips to help you stop stressing
- Learn To Say “No”: Have you developed a habit over a long time of never being able to say no? The long-term solution to this is to start practicing saying no right now. Once you’ve said “no”, keep reminding yourself that other people can do that thing that you said no to.
- Create “Wow” Moments: Get out into nature for a walk every so often and give yourself permission to notice certain things like a butterfly. Just stand and watch the butterfly and silently in your mind say “Wow, isn’t that amazing!”- or “Wow, isn’t that so beautiful”. This will help to dissipate the psychological effects of too much stress.
- Make Decisions Quicker: Putting things off is a definite source of stress. Maybe get yourself a little mantra like “Decide it now and do it now!”
- Less Sugary Foods: Sugary foods fuel anxiety and lead to plaque buildup and nutritional stress. I’m not saying ditch all unhealthy foods but a healthy diet can help
- Check For Vitamin B Deficiency: Some people cannot digest vitamin b12 from their food and need injections of b12. Without these injections, if a person’s levels are chronically low, this can have a significant impact on their anxiety levels.
- Listen To Self Hypnosis Audios: I have made a particularly powerful recording entitled “Stress Management” which, when listened to every day over a prolonged period, should gently and steadily lower stress levels.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Stress
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to help you visualize a future where you are calm and in control and stress less about everyday things.
Self Hypnosis For Stress Relief
One of the best self-help methods of reducing stress is to download and listen to a self-hypnosis audio. I recorded one specifically for stress entitled “Stress Management“. By listening for about thirty days, you’ll significantly reduce your stress levels. Remember, if you are feeling stress, you are the person that created it. Stress is a reaction to our circumstances. That reaction comes from inside of us, not from the outside. My recording will help you to:
- Take ownership of creating stress
- Learn how to let stress go every single day rather than building it up and up until it causes a problem.
- Imagine a future where you deal with life’s challenges in a way that doesn’t create as much stress.
Author: Paul Hunter
Although thousands of people read his blog every month, Paul's path to success was not an easy one. Click here to read his amazing story "From Unwanted Baby And Adopted To A Respected Self Help Blogger". If you want to send Paul a quick message, then visit his contact page here
