How Can Stress Affect Oral Health and What Can Be Done to Prevent It?
Everyone gets stressed at some point in life due to various issues affecting them. However, it is advisable to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. They impact your mental, emotional, oral, and overall health. Continue reading to learn how stress affects your oral health. Also, learn how the dentist in 78209 can help you prevent or treat the issues.
Effects of Stress on Oral Health
All aspects of your health take a back seat when you face too much stress. Stress also affects oral health and affects mental, emotional, and overall health. It causes problems to your teeth, gums, and mouth, necessitating oral health treatment in San Antonio.
Below are ways in which stress impacts oral health.
1)Bruxism
Some people grind their teeth when stressed or anxious. The habit known as bruxism is subconscious and often occurs when you sleep or are preoccupied. It causes intense pain in your jaw, neck, and head. Bruxism also leads to severe teeth damage and can cause teeth to become loose, fracture, break, or fall out. It also weakens the enamel, increasing the risk of cavities.
2)Periodontal disease
Your immune system suffers when you are stressed. This makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. As a result, your gums become prone to infections and inflammation. Long periods of stress can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. If you have gum disease, you may get symptoms like bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, and bleeding or swollen gums.
3)Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
People who clench their jaws when stressed impact their oral health significantly. The continuous pressure on their jaws causes muscle tension in the jaw joints. They are named temporomandibular joints and enable you to open and close your mouth. You will have intense jaw pain and difficulty opening the mouth when affected.
4)Canker sores
These are ulcers that occur inside the mouth when you are stressed. Cankers sores can also appear when you brush too hard, bite your cheek, smoke or eat highly acidic foods. They manifest as small white spots which are painful and uncomfortable. Reducing stress and anxiety lowers the risk of developing canker sores.
5)Poor Oral Hygiene
When stressed, some people neglect their oral hygiene. Also, they eat an imbalanced diet or over-indulge in foods high in sugar, carbs, or caffeine. Over time, plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth surface and along the gum line. As a result, they develop oral health issues like decay, caries, or gum disease.
6)Dry mouth syndrome
Stress and the medications used to treat it lead to decreased saliva production in the mouth. This is known as a dry mouth condition. It increases your risk of oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, chronic bad breath, and decay.
How to Maintain Oral Health When Stressed
Stress is inevitable at some point in life. Fortunately, you can reduce its effect on oral health by following the tips below.
- Visit the dentist at 78209 if you grind your teeth or clench your jaws due to stress. They will fit you with a customized mouth guard to protect your teeth and jaws.
- If you have symptoms of gum disease, contact your dentist for treatment.
- Have any mouth sores or ulcers checked out by the dentist. The expert will ascertain they are not cancer-related and treat them appropriately.
- Attend routine dental exams and cleanings. The dentist will examine your mouth for the impacts of stress. They will then provide proper treatment. They will also help you maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent oral problems.
- You should also maintain good oral hygiene daily by brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth.
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet while avoiding foods full of sugars or carbs.
- Drink more water to manage the dry mouth condition, and visit your dentist for treatment.
Call to Book an Appointment With Our Dentist Near You
The most crucial step in preventing stress-related oral issues is to find a dentist who is right for you. Such a dentist is well-trained and experienced in providing various dental care services. They should be trustworthy, empathetic, and patient. These qualities will enable them to help you even when under great stress. Visit us at Terrell Hills Dental for such a dentist.