ストレスが歯を壊す？知られざる”心と口”の深い関係｜西新宿 歯医者｜TOKYO DENTAL OFFICE

こんにちは。
TOKYO DENTAL OFFICE 西新宿です。

「最近、歯が痛む」「朝起きたら顎が疲れている」
そんな症状、実は”ストレス”が原因かもしれません。
今回は、ストレスと歯の健康の関係について詳しくお話しします！

① ストレスが身体に与える影響とは？
・自律神経の乱れ
・筋肉の緊張・免疫力の低下
・睡眠の質の低下
→ これらがどう口の健康に関係するのかを紹介。

② 歯ぎしり・食いしばりとストレスの関係
・無意識に歯を強く噛んでしまう行為
・特に就寝中に多く、自覚がないケースも
・筋肉の緊張が歯や顎に負担をかける
・歯のすり減り・知覚過敏・顎関節症の原因に

 

③ ストレスが原因で起きやすいお口のトラブル
・歯の痛み（特に虫歯や異常がないのに痛む「非定型歯痛」）
・歯ぐきの腫れ・口内炎（免疫低下による）
・口臭の悪化（唾液の分泌量が減るため）

 

④ ストレスサインを見逃さない！セルフチェック
・寝ている間に歯ぎしりしていると言われた
・朝起きると顎が疲れている
・歯の一部が欠けている・すり減っている
・無意識に歯を噛みしめていることがある

 

⑤ 歯科医院でできる対策
・噛み合わせチェック
・ナイトガード（マウスピース）の作成
・顎関節症の初期対応

 

 

⑥ 自分でできるストレスケア＋予防習慣
・睡眠の質を高める
・リラックスできる時間を持つ（呼吸法・軽い運動）
・カフェイン・アルコールを控える
・意識的に歯を離す習慣を（「TCH（歯牙接触癖）」対策）

 

「ストレス＝心の問題」と思いがちですが、実は”口”にも大きな影響を与えています。
歯が原因不明で痛む、顎が疲れる…そんなときは、TOKYO DENTAL OFFICE 西新宿で相談してください！
早めのケアが、心と身体を守る第一歩です！

 

 

最後までお読みいただきありがとうございました。良い一日をお過ごしください♪

一般歯科、審美歯科、ホワイトニング、虫歯治療、根幹治療、痛みの少ない治療、抜歯、予防歯科、小児歯科、歯周病治療、かぶせ物

 

 

 

Is Stress Damaging Your Teeth? The Hidden Link Between Mind and Mouth

 

“Lately, my teeth feel sore.”
“I wake up with a tired jaw.”
If this sounds familiar, stress might be the underlying cause.

In this article, we’ll explore the surprising connection between stress
and oral health—and what you can do about it!

 

① How Stress Affects Your Body—And Your Mouth
Stress impacts your entire body, including:

Disruption of the autonomic nervous system

Muscle tension and weakened immune system

Poor sleep quality

These changes can take a toll on your oral health. For example, stress
may reduce saliva production, cause jaw tension, and affect your bite
alignment—all of which can lead to dental issues you might not expect.

 

② The Link Between Stress and Teeth Grinding or Clenching
Have you been told you grind your teeth in your sleep?
It might be stress-related teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching, often
happening unconsciously.

Common during sleep, so most people aren’t even aware

Jaw tension puts strain on the teeth and temporomandibular joints

Can lead to worn-down teeth, tooth sensitivity, or TMJ disorder

Over time, this constant pressure can even cause your teeth to chip or
crack.

 

③ Common Stress-Related Oral Problems
Stress may also lead to various oral issues, including:

Unexplained tooth pain (also known as atypical odontalgia)

Swollen gums or mouth ulcers due to a weakened immune response

Bad breath caused by reduced saliva flow

When there’s no obvious dental cause for your symptoms, it’s worth
considering stress as a factor.

 

④ Self-Check: Are You Missing the Signs?
Take a moment to see if any of these sound familiar:

Someone told you that you grind your teeth in your sleep

You wake up with a sore or tired jaw

Your teeth appear chipped or worn down

You catch yourself clenching your teeth during the day

If even one of these applies to you, it might be time to take action.

 

⑤ What Your Dentist Can Do to Help
A visit to the dental office can provide valuable insight and early
intervention.

Check your bite alignment

Create a night guard (mouthpiece) to protect your teeth

Provide early treatment for TMJ-related symptoms

Professional care can prevent further damage and help relieve
discomfort.

 

⑥ What You Can Do: Stress Care and Prevention Tips
Alongside dental care, here are some self-care habits that can make a
difference:

Prioritize quality sleep

Incorporate relaxation techniques (like breathing exercises or light
exercise)

Limit caffeine and alcohol intake

Practice being mindful about keeping your teeth apart (a habit known as
TCH: tooth contact habit)

These small lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing oral
problems related to stress.

 

 

 

Your Mind and Mouth Are More Connected Than You Think
Stress is often seen as a mental or emotional issue—but it also has a
real, physical impact on your mouth.
If you’re experiencing unexplained tooth pain or jaw fatigue, it may be
your body’s way of asking for help.

Don’t ignore the signs. At TOKYO DENTAL OFFICE Nishi-Shinjuku, we’re
here to support both your oral and overall well-being.
Early care is the first step toward protecting your health—mind and
body.