Are you stressed? You are not alone. It is normal to feel stressed, but it can also affect your oral health in strange ways.
Actually, there is a strong link between stress and dental issues. Let us talk about how stress can hurt your gums and teeth and what you can do to deal with it and keep your smile healthy.
A family dentist in Northwest Albuquerque, NM, knows how important it is to take care of your teeth, especially when you are feeling stressed. So, call today to set up an appointment.
How stress can impact your oral health.
Your body makes chemicals like cortisol when you are stressed. Your immune system can get weaker because of these factors, which makes you more likely to get sick. This could cause a number of oral health issues, such as:
- Gum disease.
Gum disease is a serious illness that can hurt the bones and muscles of your teeth. Being under a lot of stress can make it worse by making it harder for your body to fight off germs, leading to bad dental hygiene, like not brushing or flossing, which can make gum disease worse.
- Canker sores.
Many people get canker sores on the inside of their cheeks, lips, or tongue when they are stressed. They are very painful. Also, mouth injuries, changes in hormones, or some medicines can cause them.
- TMD or TMJ.
Temporomandibular joint diseases (TMJ/TMD) make the jaw and face hurt, and stress can make the pain worse. The joint that connects the jaws to the head is damaged, and stress can cause people to grind their teeth more, which causes more pain and discomfort.
- Grinding your teeth.
Teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism, is a common unconscious habit that can get worse when you are stressed. If you grind your teeth, they can get worn down and hurt your mouth. You might bite or grind your teeth more at night when you are worried. This can damage the enamel on your teeth and make your jaw hurt and feel bad.
- Dry mouth.
Dry mouth, a situation in which your mouth does not make enough saliva, can be made worse by stress. Since saliva keeps your teeth from getting cavities, having a dry mouth can make you more likely to get cavities. People who are stressed may have less saliva in their mouths. Dry mouth can happen because of this, which can raise your risk of cavities and other tooth issues.
Stress and poor oral hygiene are a deadly combination.
When you are stressed, your mouth can feel different, and you might not brush or floss. You may be more likely to:
- Avoid cleaning your teeth or brushing them.
That being said, you might not brush and floss your teeth as well when you are worried. Plaque and tartar can build up on your teeth, which can make you more likely to get gum disease and other dental problems.
- Not remembering to get regular tooth checkups.
When you are stressed, it can be hard to remember to go to the dentist for monthly checkups. Going to the dentist for regular checkups is important to keep your teeth healthy and find any problems early.
- Take greater amounts of nicotine or drink alcohol more often.
Some people may be more likely to use tobacco or drink as a way to deal with stress. These two things are bad for your oral health. If you smoke, you could get mouth cancer, gum disease, and lose your teeth. Tooth loss, gum disease, and dry mouth can all be made worse by drinking.
Stress may harm your oral health, which can lead to problems with your teeth. Knowing this link and using skills to deal with stress can help protect your smile and keep your oral health in great shape.