Stress and Oral Health
Stress is a perfectly normal reaction to life's challenges. However, chronic stress is detrimental to your physical health. Unfortunately, this includes your oral health. Everyone reacts to stress differently; some individuals react to chronic stress with physical and mental symptoms that harm their body, including their teeth and gums. Others cope with stress relieving techniques that they have learned over the years, leaving their physical and oral health largely intact.
How Can Stress Harm My Oral Health?
Stress can cause a myriad of dental health issues from cavities to TMJ. When you are under stress, your immune system does not work as well. This can lead to infections, like gingivitis and cancer sores. Stress can also make some people grind their teeth at night This can chip or crack teeth and restorations. It can also aggravate jaw issues. Stress can also cause some people to neglect their at-home dental care and routine exams and teeth cleanings.
Oral Health Conditions Stress Can Cause
Teeth Grinding
Also called bruxism, grinding your teeth at might is often caused by chronic stress. Grinding your teeth at night leads to morning headaches, worn teeth, and cracked or chipped teeth. It can also damage restorations, like fillings. You may also clench your teeth at night, which can make your jaw hurt and may aggravate TMJ symptoms.
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also called TMJ or TMD, is a problem with the joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Without the joint, you couldn't eat, speak, or even open your mouth. Teeth grinding or clenching can affect the joints. If you are experiencing chronic jaw pain, your jaw making clicking noises, or difficulty opening your mouth wide, please contact our dental office in Florida to make an appointment.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Feeling rushed all the time is stressful. You may feel you don't have time for proper oral hygiene as you race to get out the door in the morning. Some people may even skip flossing because it takes too long. You have to make the time because lax oral hygiene can lead to cavities and gingivitis if you try to cut corners. There are ways to shave time off your routine by using an electric toothbrush and a water flosser.
Oral Infections
As stress weakens your immune system, your risk for developing gingivitis increases. Your gums cannot fight off the bacteria in your mouth and it's easy to develop gingivitis if you don't practice good oral hygiene daily. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, a more serious form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss. You are also more likely to develop canker and cold sores, which can be painful. Canker sores always appear inside your mouth. They usually go away on their own in a few weeks, but they can make chewing painful in the meantime.
How Can I Take Care of Myself During Times of Stress?
Make sure you brush and floss daily and avoid consuming excess sugary foods and beverages. Some people use these foods, like cake and cookies, as comfort foods when they are stressed. Unfortunately, they can lead to decay, especially if you're not taking good care of your teeth. Also, keep up with your regular dental exams and teeth cleanings. This will give your dentist in Florida a chance to catch any issues from stress before they become more serious.
How Can I Reduce the Symptoms of Stress?
Visit our dentist in Florida Be sure to tell your dentist if there are any major changes in your personal or professional life that are stress inducing. Our dentists are trained to recognize symptoms caused by chronic stress. You'll be encouraged to find stress reducing activities. Our dentist will repair any issues and show you how to prevent them in the future. Call today to schedule an appointment!
How does a Dentist Treat Teeth Grinding?
They will repair any chips or cracks in teeth or restorations first. Next, they will create a custom night guard for you to protect and cushion your teeth from further damage. A custom night guard will fit better and feel more comfortable than one you can get in the drugstore. Your dentist will also urge you to identify your stressors and work on ways to relieve the stress.
How Can I Manage Pain from Dental Issues Caused by Stress?
Your dentist may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication or a massage technique to relieve jaw pain. Call our office for an appointment to learn more about what is causing you pain and what you can do about it. Sometimes, pain relief is a simple a filling a cavity or a cracked tooth caused by lax dental hygiene or teeth grinding. You won't know, though, until you see a dental professional.
How Can I Take Care of Myself When I'm Stressed?
Chronic stress can cause a person to engage in habits that can harm their oral health. These habits may include poor dietary choices, smoking, drinking alcohol and skipping normal dental hygiene habits. Try not to start these habits as they will only harm your dental health and they won't relieve your stress.
If you have damage to your oral health from stress, please contact us. We'll make an appointment for you with our dentist in Florida who can treat your issue. You'll also learn how to prevent the problem in the future. If you don't learn how to make good choices when you're stressed, you'll be stuck in an endless cycle of stress and poor dental health.
