7 Dental Changes That Could Come From Stress

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of respondents to a YouGov study said they were so stressed, they felt overwhelmed and unable to cope. 

Stress can damage everything from our muscles to our lungs and even heart, the American Psychological Association shared.

And Dr Kabir Bhogal, the founder and principal dentist at Revive Clinic, said that it can have significant impacts on your teeth too.

“Despite maintaining good oral hygiene, everyday stressors can take a toll on your oral health before you even realise it,” he said. 

Here are seven signs of stress that he said could appear in your mouth first: 

1) Chipped or cracked teeth

“One of the most common stress responses is teeth grinding, known as bruxism,” Dr Bhogal said.

Bruxism occurs when you “unconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth, often without realising. This grinding exerts heavy pressure on your teeth, sometimes reaching forces three times greater than normal chewing.

“Over time, this pressure wears down your enamel, causing chipping or cracking in teeth, particularly if there’s previous dental work or if your enamel is already compromised.” 

Wearing a night guard can help if you grind your teeth at night often.

2) A dry mouth

Sometimes, a lack of saliva can be caused by stress, Dr Bhogal said. 

That matters, because saliva “protects teeth by neutralising acids and washing away food debris and bacteria [and] contains antimicrobial compounds that help prevent infection and decay”. 

So, “If you notice your mouth feeling persistently dry, particularly during stressful periods, I suggest drinking more water throughout the day. If you struggle with daily water intake, opt for more herbal teas, sparkling water or water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber or celery.” 

3) Gum inflammation

“Your immune system takes a hit when you’re under chronic stress,” the dentist told us. 

“In fact, prolonged stress can suppress immune function, making your body less able to fight off infections and inflammation, especially in your gums. When your immune system is compromised, your gums tend to become inflamed more easily and are less able to resist bacterial infection.” 

That’s why booking a professional clean every three to six months is so important. It helps dentists to notice and halt the progress of gum disease.

4) Enamel wear

Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth. And when stress causes you to “clench your jaw constantly, you’re wearing down the biting surfaces of your teeth,” said Dr Bhogal. 

“Additionally, stress often leads people to consume more acidic beverages like energy drinks, sports drinks, or wine, all of which can erode tooth enamel.” 

This can make you more susceptible to tooth sensitivity and even cavities. 

5) Mouth ulcers 

As Dr Bhogal explained, stress can lower your immune system’s ability to do its job. 

“While individual ulcers typically heal on their own, recurrent ones are a sign that your stress levels are affecting your health,” he said. 

See a dentist if you’ve been getting multiple ulcers. “Adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and even stress management techniques can help strengthen your immune response and reduce ulcer formation.”

6) Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

This can happen when you clench your jaw too often, a common sign of stress. 

“This joint connects your jaw to your skull, and when the muscles around it become tense and misaligned, you may experience clicking or popping sounds when moving or opening your mouth,” said Dr Bhogal.

“TMJ dysfunction causes pain in your jaw or face, sometimes reaching the ears. During the initial stages, some people may experience headaches or difficulty chewing.” 

If you notice clicking or jaw pain, the expert advised, see a dentist. “Sometimes a simple bite splint or changes to your daily habits can provide some relief.” 

7) Receding gums

“Chronic stress can trigger inflammation while weakening your immune response, making it harder for your body to fight off bacteria along the gum line,” Dr Bhogal stated.

That could lead you to experience gum recession, exposing the root of the tooth to bacteria. 

“Restorative treatments like composite bonding can often help rebuild the tooth surface and cover exposed root and dentin, reducing sensitivity and protecting against further damage,” the dentist said. 

But more advanced gum recession could warrant more intensive work. Speak to your dentist if you think you’re experiencing it.