Stress Bites: Fiscal Cliff Worsens Bite on Execs

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic stress can take a real bite out of your oral health. Tooth grinding is on the rise among executives, according to Marc Liechtung, DDS, principal in New York-based Manhattan Dental Arts, a practice that specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry that counts many CEOs among its patients.

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"The condition, also known as bruxism, has become particularly widespread among my patients not only in the wake of the recent "fiscal cliff" threat and concern about implementing the new federal healthcare bill, but also the general slowdown in the economy," said Dr. Liechtung. "I would say there's been an increase of about 20 percent in terms of the number of chipped teeth and oral appliances in my practice directly related to bruxism which I attribute to these stressful times."

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, about one in three people suffer from bruxism, particularly "people who are aggressive, competitive and hurried." And a study in the journal Head & Face Medicine found that sleep bruxism is more common with people who claimed to experience daily problems and trouble at work

"Many executives are neglecting their emotional needs during the day and are relieving built-up stress through tooth clenching during the day and tooth grinding at night," adds Dr. Liechtung.

"Most people don't even know they are suffering from bruxism. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to manifest warning signs such as headaches, sore teeth, sore jaw muscles, flattened teeth, tooth sensitivity and ringing in the ears," notes Dr. Liechtung.

Dr. Liechtung recommends treatment of the condition with dental procedures, mouth guards and perhaps even stress-counseling.  For additional information please go to www.ManhattanDentalArts.com.

SOURCE Manhattan Dental Arts