As awareness between mental stress and our bodily health grows, recent research is shining a light on the link between mental health and oral health.
A study published in the Journal of Dentistry shows a connection between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and awake bruxism (daytime teeth grinding) [1].
These findings suggest important implications for dentists when treating patients with jaw pain and oral health issues. Here’s what the study found and what it could mean for patients who have PTSD.
PTSD and Oral Health: Understanding the Connection
The study examined 701 patients with an average age of 46. Researchers found that patients with PTSD were more likely to develop painful TMDs and awake bruxism compared to those without the condition.
Even patients with subthreshold post-traumatic stress symptoms—those who have some symptoms but don’t completely meet the criteria for the disorder—showed higher odds of painful TMD and sleep bruxism than those who had experienced no traumatic events.
Symptom Severity Correlation
One of the most interesting findings of the study was that the more PTSD symptoms a person had, the more likely they were to clench or grind their teeth while awake. In fact, among all the groups studied, people with awake bruxism showed the highest rates of PTSD at 14.7%.
This direct relationship suggests that jaw problems might actually be physical manifestations of psychological distress. Based on these findings, the research team recommends that dentists consider screening for trauma history when patients come in with jaw pain or teeth grinding issues, as addressing the underlying psychological factors could be crucial for successful treatment.
This research supports previous knowledge that jaw clenching and teeth grinding may be linked to emotional symptoms like stress, depression, and anxiety [2].
Clinical Implications for Dental Professionals
The study’s findings suggest that dentists may need to:
- Consider incorporating trauma screening into their patient evaluation protocols, especially for those presenting with TMDs or bruxism.
- Work with mental health specialists, especially for patients with both PTSD and jaw pain, to improve treatment outcomes [3].
- Be more aware of the potential connection between psychological trauma and physical symptoms to allow for more targeted interventions.
Do You Clench or Grind Your Teeth?
As dentists understand more about how psychological factors can contribute to their patients’ symptoms, oral health professionals will play an even bigger role in comprehensive care for patients with both oral health issues and mental health challenges.
If you clench or grind your teeth, don’t wait to make an appointment with your dentist. They can conduct a thorough screening to determine if you suffer from bruxism or TMDs and help you discover your options for long-term oral health and wellness!
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571225001010?via%3Dihub
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7793806/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19758407/
