Anxiety = Dental Problems??

Avatar for babyfase
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Anxiety = Dental Problems??
7
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 1:08pm

Hello all! I was diagnosed with General and Social Anxiety about 4 years ago, and I thought I was doing quite well with it (especially the Social Anxiety – you can’t shut me up now!). But recently, I started going to a new dentist and he said that I had worn about 3 of my teeth down to the nerves! He seemed rather shocked that someone so young (I’m 25) would have that much wear on her teeth. Anyway, I had assumed he meant that this damage was from grinding my teeth in my sleep, but when I got to talking to the receptionist she asked me if I clenched my teeth a lot while driving. I’ve been paying more attention now, and I notice that I DO clench my teeth a LOT. Anyway – outside of buying an expensive mouth guard – I’m interested in the root of the problem… maybe I am more anxious than I thought…. I would like to hear your opinions. Thanks a lot!

~SHI

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 4:06pm

Hi SHI,

Welcome! I have heard of teeth grinding being related to stress & anxiety, but don't know much about it personally. I have generalized anxiety and the muscle tension associated with that does weird/sore stuff to my jaw muscles sometimes though.

There are great supportive ladies here & lots of them with great info too. I hope someone may have more answers to your question. Come talk anytime, this is a friendly group.

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 6:56pm

Hi! Welcome to our caring community. I am happy to hear that you are coping so well with the social anxiety. I am unsure what sort of treatment you sought or if you decided to conquer it on your own. In any event, reducing stress is always a good idea & research has shown that a combination of meds & therapy is the most successful way to treat anxiety disorders.

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 8:41pm

hi there,


i have the same thing!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 9:32pm

I am curious as to how you overcame the social anxiety.

Sheri Ann

Avatar for babyfase
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Sat, 12-23-2006 - 12:13pm
Hi Sherry Ann. Zoloft took the edge off of the social anxiety so that I could feel comfortable enough to practice my social skills at work. I had SO much fun talking to the inspectors at my job that i realized that there's really nothing to fear. So im confident that even without the zoloft, I could still be more comfortable in social situations because of all the good social practice that i have had. I am also in therapy, but that's more so for Major Depression. And yes, i am more conscious of my jaw clenching so i am working on it... trying to do breathing excercises instead. Thanks for your input!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 12-23-2006 - 2:52pm
Wow, that's great!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-21-2006
Sun, 12-24-2006 - 8:36am

hey babyfase,
i too have grinding problems and i clench my jaw a lot in my sleep i guess. well i grind them in my sleep and clench my jaw during the day a lot i have noticed and so whenever i realize i am doing it i just distract myself with something else. i have really bad muscle tension too. its funny because before i ever started having panic attacks and developed panic disorder, i go every 6 months to my dentist and at my last appt they had told me that i grind my teeth and it shocked me. i did it a lot as a child and i guess now it is effecting me too. but they say its common in children.

you said zoloft works for you , but i found that when i was on it, it just made me feel worse. i am on prozac now.

love,
melissa