Stress, your Teeth, and the Recession

October 09, 2009

As the New York Times recently reported, the recession is putting Americans on edge-and it's coming out in their teeth.

According to many dentists, the number of teeth grinding injuries is on the rise. Some dentists have seen twice as many patients with symptoms of teeth grinding as they did last year. And some night guard manufacturers have seen sales increases of around 15%.

Teeth grinding can cause problems ranging from broken teeth to jaw pain. Headaches and earaches can also occur. Often, teeth grinding happens because of stress. Teeth grinding can be unconscious, and often happens when people are sleeping.

A common solution is to get a night guard that reduces grinding, although dentists may recommend other options. Talk to your dentist if you think you are grinding your teeth.

Remember that regular exercise can help reduce stress. Speaking with a mental health professional can be helpful as well. Also, check out HealthRock's song about stress .