Stress is your body's reaction to any change that requires a physical, mental, or emotional adjustment or response. Stress can be positive or negative. While most people deal with stress at some point, it can be harmful to your health when it becomes chronic.
Stress and Oral Health
Stress is a normal part of life, but too much stress can take a toll on your health. While your oral and overall health may both be affected by stress, it's your oral health that may be affected first. That's because the jaw is often the source of the tension created during stressful moments. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding are common reactions to stress and can cause enamel damage as well as headaches and other aches and pains. This internal reaction to external pressures can also create TMJ disorder, which can then affect your overall health in a variety of ways.
Here are some ways stress can impact oral health:
- Increased risk of gum disease (periodontal disease) due to increased chances of poor oral hygiene habits like not brushing or flossing enough and not visiting the dentist as often as you should.
- Tooth decay occurs when you neglect dental hygiene habits such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and avoiding sugary foods between meals.
- Grinding your teeth can lead to enamel damage and worn-down tooth structure, which can cause sensitivity and pain.
- Bruxism, or the unconscious habit of grinding your teeth at night, may lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder), a painful condition where the jaw is misaligned.
- Headaches caused by bruxism can keep you from sleeping well, which can make you more stressed as well as cause other health problems.
- In severe cases of TMJ disorder, you may experience lockjaw, making it difficult to open your mouth and eat even soft foods without pain.
By taking steps to reduce your stress levels, we can help reduce your risk for these negative health effects.
Managing Stress
There are many ways that you can reduce stress to help decrease your risk of gum disease. Try implementing stress management techniques into your routine, such as exercising, practicing meditation, or taking a hot bath when you are experiencing particularly stressful days at work. In addition, make sure that you keep up with your nightly oral hygiene routine so that you can prevent plaque buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Talk to our dentist about how you can make healthier lifestyle choices to care for your teeth. Our team will talk with you about any symptoms you're experiencing, then conduct a thorough examination to determine if there's an underlying cause for your concern. Then, we'll discuss potential treatment options with you so you can make an informed decision about your personalized treatment plan.
If you haven't since your dentist recently, or if you wish to learn more tips for maintaining good oral health, call us at (832) 532-7120 and schedule an appointment with us.
