Stress and Oral Health

There is a definitive link between stress and oral health. Everyone has a stressful day sometimes, but people under stress for long periods of time, like working at a very stress inducing job, tend to have more dental issues than people who live relatively stress-free. While you can't always get rid of what is causing your stress, you can find ways to manage your stress with activities that help you relax and recharge. This will help your oral health along with your general physical health.

How Can Stress Hurt My Oral Health?

Prolonged stress will affect your immune system, making it harder for you to fight infections. You need to stay on top of your dental health routine to avoid developing gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. It can progress without regular dental exams and teeth cleanings and turn into damaging periodontal disease. Stress can also lead to canker sores in your mouth.

Long-term stress can also lead to skipping your normal dental hygiene and making poor dietary choices. You could end up with cavities when you haven't had one in years. Stress can also lead to grinding your teeth at night and damaging them.

Besides the damage long-term stress can do to your teeth, it can also affect your physical and emotional health. It's essential to identify your stressors and eliminate them if possible. If not, find ways to mitigate your stress for your health.

What Dental Health Issues Are Caused By Stress?

Grinding Your Teeth

Sleep bruxism is grinding your teeth involuntarily while you are asleep. Stress and anxiety are the main reasons people engage in this behavior. It's involuntary though, and many individuals do not realize they are doing this while they are sleeping. Grinding your teeth can do damage to them, including cracking a tooth or chipping one. You may even damage a filling you have in your mouth and wear down your teeth. Repeated teeth grinding can also do damage to your jaw. If you are waking up with a headache and a sore jaw every morning, please call us for an appointment.

TMJ or TMD

Stress can cause or aggregate a temporomandibular joint disorder. The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull and is responsible for you being able to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. It is the one joint in the body that gets the most use. Stress can affect the TMJ by creating muscle tension and causing you to clench your jaw often. Grinding your teeth at night can also cause a TMJ disorder. If you have TMD, you may notice your jaw pops or clicks when you open and close it or you have difficulty opening your mouth fully.

Poor Dental Hygiene

When you're under prolonged stress, one of the things that can go by the wayside is your normal dental hygiene. However, it is the one time when you need a healthy mouth more than ever. You may have to motivate yourself, but brush at least twice a day and floss once. If you are really pressed for time, try an electric toothbrush and water flosser to save time.

Dental Infections

When you are stressed, you may develop canker sores in your mouth because your immune system is weak. While they will eventually go away on their own, they can be uncomfortable, especially if you eat spicy foods. You may also develop cold sores around your lips. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are contagious. If a canker sore in your mouth does not go away in a month, please call our office so our dentist in Florida can look at it.

What Can I Do To Take Care of Myself During Stressful Times?

Keep up your normal brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. See your dentist for regular exams and keep up with professional teeth cleanings. Also, try to avoid sugary foods that are bad for your teeth. Cavities will only cause you more stress. Call us today to arrange an appointment for an exam.

How Can I Reduce My Stress Symptoms?

Talk to our dentist in Florida and mention what issues you are experiencing and how long you've felt chronic stress. There are many things your dentist can do besides encouraging you to find stress relief.

How Do I Stop Grinding My Teeth?

Our dentist in Florida may create a custom night guard for you. It will protect your teeth from further damage and help stop the muscle pain you may be experiencing in your jaw. Your dentist can also assess what damage has already been done, so he or she can repair any cracks, chips, or broken restorations. 

What If I Have Pain From Stress-Related Dental Issues?

Your dentist can fill cavities caused by poor oral hygiene, recommend over-the-counter pain relievers for jaw pain, and even suggest massage techniques.

Taking Care of Yourself 

Being under stress and anxiety can lead to people eating starchy and sugary foods. This can lead to tooth decay. Taking care of your body is vitally important especially when you are stressed. Get enough exercise and eat healthy foods that will give you energy. Avoid dealing with your stress by turning to alcohol and tobacco. Finally, get enough exercise and drink plenty of water. 

Our dentist in Florida understands how stress impacts dental health. We can tailor a plan to get your dental health back on track. You dentist will also explain how you can prevent more problems until you can get your stress under control.