Stress, we’ve all felt it. Whether in the form of clammy hands or your heart pounding in your chest, symptoms of stress can vary each time you’re in distress.

While it is widely known that stress can take a mental and physical toll on you, its detrimental effects on your teeth often go unnoticed. In fact, extreme stress could make you more prone to teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and ultimately, tooth pain.
In this article, we will learn the connection between anxiety and toothache. Know which symptoms you need to look out for when you experience a sudden pang of stress.
What causes a toothache?
A toothache may come out of nowhere. Many potential causes of toothache may be directly or indirectly related to the health of the tooth. Stress and anxiety are common causes of oral pain in the same way certain tooth ailments can result in pain.
An erupting wisdom tooth may cause a dull, throbbing pain whereas toothache caused by tooth decay or cavity may be sharp and shooting. Cracked teeth, gum disease, and sinus infections can also bring about pain.
Seek treatment from an experienced dentist if you’re experiencing any form of dental pain you do not know the cause of.
Can stress cause tooth pain?
People acknowledge the harm stress does to their bodies, however, most do not understand that stress can cause just as much harm to their teeth. When you’re stressed, your brain sends a distress signal to the command center that activates the “fight or flight” response.
Consequently, your heart starts to race, you may feel sweaty, and even experience shortness of breath. You might also subconsciously clench your jaws. This puts pressure on your jaw muscles or temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which causes you to feel jaw pain.
If you’re clenching the jaws frequently or over a prolonged period, it can lead to tooth pain or aches.
How does stress affect oral health?
The correlation between anxiety and toothache is clear. Chronic stress can directly cause pain in your jaws, teeth, and gums. Additionally, anxiety may also cause other seemingly unrelated dental problems.
Teeth Grinding / Bruxism
It is the body’s natural response to accumulate tension throughout your muscles when triggered by stress.
This also involves tension in your jaws. Stressed people typically tend to clench their jaws and grind their teeth in a condition called bruxism.
Bruxism is often observed during sleep but can also manifest during the daytime in individuals dealing with heightened stress levels. When you grind your teeth, you risk wearing down the protective layer of enamel on your teeth.

Prolonged grinding can cause your teeth to develop the following problems:
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Tooth wear
- Tooth fractures
- Jaw pain
- TMJ disorders
All of these can ultimately lead to tooth decay and gum sensitivity.
Gum disease
Studies found that stress can have harmful effects on your body’s immune response to fight off infections. If you’re constantly in stress, your immune system becomes weakened. This can cause harmful bacteria to attack your gums.
As a result, you’ll be at high risk of developing gum disease which can range from mild inflammation of the gums to severe loss of bone. Since your mouth is the gateway into your body, harmful bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your inflamed gums.
Gum disease can be accompanied by dental pain. Maintaining your oral health and hygiene is crucial at all times.
Lack of good oral hygiene routine
High stress can also cause you to neglect your oral hygiene. One study noted that increased stress can be directly proportionate to worsened oral health and greater oral pain. Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque and tartar build-up.

Gingivitis, tooth decay, canker sores, and tooth pain are often an outcome of poorly managed stress.
Burning mouth syndrome
Did you know that saliva production can be affected due to stress? Yes, anxiety reduces the production of saliva and overall salivary flow. It can also alter the pH balance, increasing the mouth’s acidity.
Saliva is required to wash away food debris and bacteria from your mouth. Therefore, it is common for stressed individuals to develop dry mouth with a burning sensation. Dry mouth can then result in tooth decay and heightened tooth sensitivity.
How to deal with stress-induced toothache?
Although managing stress is easier said than done, there are a few remedies you can try to reduce stress and anxiety and relieve tooth pain due to stress-induced complications.
- Rinse your mouth with a warm glass of saline water to get rid of bad bacteria.
- Take over-the-counter medications like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to provide temporary pain relief.
- Apply a cold compress to your jaw for a few minutes to help ease inflammation.
- Switch to a liquid or soft diet for a few days with foods like soup.
- Dental care is an important and non-negotiable step in your daily routine. Brush your teeth two times a day with fluoridated toothpaste.
- If your gums are inflamed, use an anti-microbial mouthwash.
- Floss regularly to get rid of gum between your teeth and gums.
- Visit the dentist for regular dental checkups at least once every 6 months.
- Avoid or limit sugary foods or drinks to prevent tooth decay.
- For people who grind their teeth, use a night mouthguard.
- Get essential dental treatment done such as tooth extractions or fillings.
In times of stress, manage it by incorporating calming activities in your day-to-day life such as:
- Meditate or do regular deep breathing exercises.
- Get adequate sleep every night.
- Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of greens and water.
- Go for walks or do light exercises.
- Listen to music.
- Talk to a loved one or a clinical professional.
- Engage in things you love doing like painting or gardening.
Importance of oral care
Stress is felt all over our bodies. Prolonged stress can bring about tooth and jaw aches. If you’re dealing with stress-related toothache, visit your doctor immediately to get to the root cause.
In the meantime, taking care of your teeth like brushing and flossing regularly can help protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease. A healthy mind makes for healthy teeth as well.