After three months into the pandemic, we had many patients visiting us with excruciating teeth pain and headaches. Thorough examination revealed many dislodged crowns/caps, fractured restorations, cracked teeth and TMJ (jaw joint) disorders. It turns out that the pandemic, being mentally and physically stressful, work from home had added to the stress, causing increased teeth fractures.

The connection between pandemic and teeth fractures?

The lockdown has been stressful for everyone, small businesses struggling to stay afloat, employees surviving pay cut and making ends meet, extended working hours in WFH plus added responsibilities of homeschooling for children. This stress often leads to subconscious teeth grinding/ clenching during the day and night as well, i.e. bruxism. Bruxism is often a cause for cluster headache or migraine as well.

Teeth are strong and brittle at the same time. Hard clenching and bruxism transfer excess stress to the teeth and roots leading to fracture of teeth, roots or restoration. Extended working hours has also lead to poor eating and sleeping habits, causing acidity. Increased acid in the body lowers the ph of the oral cavity, thus causing erosion of the teeth. The combination of an increased acidic environment in the oral cavity and grinding is the deadliest recipe for the teeth damage. Acid makes the teeth soft and grinding sharpens them, gradually cracking the teeth.

WFH has also made people work on their dining tables, beds and couches or sit on ill-supported chairs ultimately slouching while working thus creating a bend in the spine, neck and shoulders. The nerves from the spine lead to the jaw joint / TMJ, improper sitting causes compression of these nerves creating additional stress to the TMJ, and thus teeth grinding.

Here are some tips which will reduce stress and prevent TMJ & teeth disorders.

Correct your posture:

Make sure that your work-from-home set up is proper, choose a well-supported chair. The spine should be straight, knees and shoulders should be at 90-degree angles & adjust your monitor at eye level, so you’re not bending your neck to look down. Practice frequent back twisting and neck extension exercise to release any built-up stress. Make a habit of standing up, taping your legs or walking little after every 30-45mins (you can set the alarm or download reminder apps)

Check if your teeth are touching:

Check the contacts of your teeth periodically. Ideally, when at rest, the teeth should not contact, teeth contact only while chewing food. When resting with lips closed position, there is always a little space between your upper and lower teeth. If you feel any premature contact at rest, see your dentist for the same.

Relax your spine:

Loosen your spine after work or after long working hours. Lie down on a flat surface, extend your arms over your head. Gently wiggle your arms, shoulders, hips, and feet from side to side. Some yoga while and after work, also helps a lot. Exercises that elongate the spine release the spine’s tension and let your spine, neck and shoulder relax, ultimately relaxing your nerves.

Check your diet:

Avoid excess tea/coffee also binge eating while working or during leisure time. Improper eating habits, timings, and diet often cause acidity, leading to increased acid content in the body, leading to teeth erosion and caries. Drink enough water. Stick to a healthy diet.

Seek relaxation before going to bed:

Meditation, various slow/yogic breathing exercises help in relieving stress. Practising them before sleeping or in bed has multiple health benefits. Avoid checking emails, smartphones or watching television in bed as these add stress your eyes.

See your dentist:

In case you have a habit of clenching your teeth or bruxism get a night guard for yourself from your dentist. This device prevents tooth fracture and jaws fatigues. The use of a nightguard is recommended at night or during the day as well. In case you feel any premature contact of your teeth or any fractured restoration, we advise you to get it corrected as soon as possible. The sooner, the better!