Bruxism is a word that many people learned during the height of the pandemic. It’s the clinical term for excessive teeth clenching or grinding. And one of the foremost factors that contributes to this involuntary and detrimental oral health habit is stress. HR leaders are no strangers to the complications that arise in the workplace when stress levels run high. Spikes in absenteeism, mental health issues, and degradations in productivity can sabotage otherwise strong performance metrics across an organization. Dental emergencies also produce similarly troublesome results for companies. Today, with employee stress climbing, we can expect to see a corresponding increase in cases of bruxism and related dental problems. Fortunately, they can be mitigated through onsite corporate dental solutions.
Bruxism: Everyone’s Stressed Out and It’s a Real Pain in the Mouth
During the pandemic, dentists around the country witnessed a surge in bruxism. In 2022, however, the situation appeared to worsen, with a majority of Americans reporting high stress levels due to financial concerns, inflation, the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 variants, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a poll from the American Psychological Association. All of those situations also accelerated instances of chronic teeth grinding, which wears down the protective layer of enamel on the tooth and leads to fractures, jaw pain, facial discomfort, and even loss of teeth in severe cases.
Two years later, we’re still confronting the same problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), employee well-being is stalling on a global scale: “Just 21% of respondents said they felt engaged in their jobs and 33% said they were thriving in their overall well-being.”
Reductions in productivity, staff retention, and profitability cost the world economy $7.8 trillion – the equivalent to 11% of global GDP based on studies conducted by Gallup.
“Stress levels among workers rose for a third year in a row, with 44% of respondents saying they’d felt stressed on the day before the survey,” Gallup reported. “This is an all-time high for Gallup’s reports. Feelings of worry edged lower, but remained higher than for any of the previous 10 years. The same was found for anger.”
Of course, none of this should come as news to HR Leaders as industry publications warn of greater challenges to come. Peter Cappelli is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. He is also the George W. Taylor Professor of Management and director of the Center for Human Resources at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In his article for Human Resource Executive, he cautions that HR isn’t getting to the heart of the problem with employee stress.
“Gallup data shows that employee stress levels have still risen every year, and the rates are a lot higher in the U.S. than in any other region,” Cappelli explained. “For instance, a SHRM study found that 44% of U.S. employees report feeling ‘burned out,’ a manifestation of high stress. Meanwhile, 57% of respondents in an American Psychology Association survey reported a series of negative health and behavioral outcomes from their work stress. Every type of employee behavior—from turnover risk to productivity to capacity for teamwork—is negatively affected by stress.”
Why is stress soaring? Cappelli cites “constant restructuring, the risk of layoffs, ever-increasing demands for higher output—and the associated lack of employee control in dealing with all these changes.”
The Effects of Stress on Workers
- Reduced Productivity and Performance: Chronic stress can cloud judgment, hinder creativity, and reduce focus. This often leads to decreased productivity, missed deadlines, and a lower quality of work.
- Increased Absenteeism and Turnover: When employees are overwhelmed and stressed, they’re more likely to call in sick or seek new employment opportunities. This can disrupt workflows and leave remaining employees feeling overworked.
- Physical and Mental Health Issues: Long-term stress can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue. But it can also contribute to mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and burnout, along with dental problems such as bruxism.
Impact on the Business
- Financial Losses: Absenteeism, presenteeism (being physically present but mentally checked out), and employee turnover all cost businesses money. Additionally, stress-related health problems fuel higher healthcare costs.
- Low Morale and Decreased Engagement: A stressed workforce is a disengaged workforce. Employees who feel overwhelmed and unsupported are less likely to be motivated and enthusiastic about their jobs.
- Negative Customer Interactions: Stressed employees can be short-tempered and less patient, which can lead to negative interactions with customers. This can damage a company’s reputation and potentially lead to lost business.
Bruxism: When Grinding Becomes Our New Grind
Prior to the global outbreak of COVID-19, 50% of adults exhibited some form of grinding and muscle contractions in their jaws. Those statistics have continued to grow alongside workplace stress. Researchers have demonstrated strong links between bruxism and emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension. Yet as the Mayo Clinic clarified, these are most often correlated with awake bruxism rather than sleep bruxism.
Bruxism Symptoms and Complications
In most cases, bruxism alone doesn’t cause serious conditions. But left untreated, it can spur the development of complications that lead to discomfort, pain, and evolving oral health issues:
- Damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns or jaw
- Tension-type headaches
- Severe facial or jaw pain
- Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth
The following signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of bruxism:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
- Jaw, neck, or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
Dental Health and Mental Health Go Hand in Hand
Right now, one of HR’s biggest efforts is to focus on the mental health of employees who are coping with the effects of stress. Although they may not realize it, increased anxiety is a significant influence in the rise of bruxism. There are, however, other perilous byproducts. People suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression often neglect oral hygiene. Coping mechanisms may lead to habits that damage oral health, such as sugary foods, alcohol, or tobacco use. When people become embarrassed about their smile, they withdraw or lose self-esteem, which exacerbates mental health symptoms.
Studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between dental health and mental health. Poor dental health can manifest in a range of mental health problems, while good dental health results in substantially higher levels of happiness and wellness.
Bruxism and Dental Problems Have the Same Business Impacts as Stress
Earlier, we examined how stressful work environments hinder employee and business performance. Just as a link exists between stress and bruxism, the same connections can be drawn between the oral health associated with bruxism and waning productivity.
Bruxism and Reduced Productivity and Performance
Employees suffering from bruxism and other dental issues often experience pain and discomfort, which can distract them from their work. This can cloud their judgment, hinder creativity, and reduce focus. As a result, their productivity may decline, leading to missed deadlines and lower quality of work.
Bruxism and Increased Absenteeism or Turnover
Dental problems often require time off for dental appointments and recovery. Chronic pain from bruxism can also lead to more frequent sick days. Employees who suffer from ongoing dental issues may feel unsupported and seek new employment opportunities where they perceive better support for their health needs. This absenteeism and turnover disrupt workflows and leave remaining employees feeling overworked.
Bruxism and Physical and Mental Health Issues
Bruxism and dental problems can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and jaw discomfort, affecting an employee’s overall physical well-being. These physical issues can exacerbate mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The persistent discomfort and associated mental strain can contribute to burnout, further impacting an employee’s ability to perform effectively.
Bruxism and Financial Losses
The costs associated with absenteeism and turnover due to dental issues are significant. Additionally, presenteeism, where employees are at work but not fully functional due to pain or discomfort, reduces overall productivity. Dental problems often require expensive treatments, leading to higher healthcare costs for businesses. These factors together can lead to substantial financial losses for the company.
Bruxism and Low Morale or Decreased Engagement
Employees dealing with constant dental pain or the stress of managing their dental health are likely to feel overwhelmed and unsupported. This can result in low morale and decreased engagement. They may be less motivated and less enthusiastic about their jobs, impacting overall team dynamics and productivity.
Bruxism and Negative Customer Interactions
Pain and discomfort from bruxism and dental problems can make employees more irritable and less patient. This can result in negative interactions with customers, potentially damaging the company’s reputation. Unpleasant customer experiences can lead to lost business, further affecting the company’s bottom line.
An Ounce of Prevention
Preventative care helps mitigate absenteeism and lost productivity associated with dental emergencies. Advances in onsite mobile dentistry allow a company’s staff to receive the best preventative dental care just feet away from their working areas. A dental pop-up can help HR professionals conquer the challenges presented by stress-induced bruxism and oral health problems.
Preventative Dental Care and Bruxism
- Early Detection: Regular dental check-ups can help in the early detection of bruxism. Dentists can identify signs such as worn-down teeth, jaw pain, and other symptoms before they become severe.
- Mouthguards: Dentists can provide custom-fitted mouthguards for individuals who grind their teeth at night. These mouthguards can prevent further damage to the teeth and reduce the strain on the jaw muscles.
- Stress Management: Because stress is a common cause of bruxism, dental professionals can recommend stress management techniques or refer patients to appropriate specialists. This can help in reducing the incidence of teeth grinding.
- Diet and Habits: Dentists can offer advice on diet and habits that may exacerbate bruxism, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can increase grinding.
- Orthodontic Solutions: In some cases, misaligned teeth can contribute to bruxism. Orthodontic treatments can correct these issues, thereby reducing the tendency to grind teeth.
- Wellness Programs: Incorporating dental health into overall wellness programs, including education on the importance of oral health and how it affects overall well-being.
- Onsite Dental Services: Offering onsite dental check-ups and treatments can make it more convenient for employees to take care of their oral health.
Dentists on Demand Can Help Relieve HR’s Stress
Dentists on Demand helped pioneer the concept of onsite mobile dentistry for business. Our specialized mobile dental pop-up services are designed exclusively for corporate clients, using the latest advances in portable dental technology, the strictest adherence to hygiene and safety, and an expert team of seasoned practitioners. Our team of skilled dental professionals brings top-notch oral health services right to your doorstep.
We facilitate all aspects of the pop-ups, including onboarding, branded microsites for the event, setup and breakdown of portable equipment, sterilization, marketing, and more.
Why Choose Dentists on Demand?
Preventative dental care plays a significant role in addressing bruxism and mitigating the impacts of dental problems for both employees and businesses.
- Increased Productivity: By providing dental care onsite, employees receive necessary treatments without disrupting their workday. Your team members receive care they may otherwise forgo due to time constraints, long commutes, or other priorities.
- Improved Morale: This additional benefit demonstrates your commitment to help care for your employees’ health and well-being. Morale increases while turnover rates decline.
- Competitive Advantage: Your employment brand is one of the most important marketing tools when hiring. An onsite dental offering helps you stand out and shine among competitors when looking to attract and retain top talent.
- Cost Savings: By providing preventive dental care, companies are better positioned to avoid more serious – and expensive – dental issues from developing across their workforce.
All you have to do is schedule a pop-up and find an available conference room or unoccupied space for us to use. Seriously, that’s it.
- We handle the setup and breakdown of our mobile dental suite and all equipment. We utilize the latest technologies in teledentistry, digital imaging, the highest-end portable equipment, and sterilization processes that are rated at hospital grade.
- We create a branded microsite to market the service to cast members and inform them of everything they need to know in advance.
- We provide access to CUSPID, our proprietary dental technology platform, which enables employees to manage everything from booking appointments to accessing their own patient records and more.
- With all Dental PPO plans, our preventative services are covered at 100%, promoting the utilization of a benefit that is completely subsidized yet under-utilized.
- Our rates reflect the same in-network costs employers already pay, whether their models are self-funded or PEPM.
- We customize our solutions to meet the unique needs of your cast members, work culture, and site requirements. We also work with plan administrators to carriers to develop lists of in-network providers that we can refer employees to when additional treatment is recommended.
By emphasizing preventative dental care, Dentists on Demand can help employees manage conditions like bruxism more effectively, reduce the overall burden of dental problems, and enhance both individual well-being and organizational productivity. Why not schedule your first pop-up today? Or if you want to learn more about onsite mobile dentistry, we have all the information you need.