Stress is a natural aspect of life, but managing it can be challenging. Stress stems from different factors, including work, education, family, other relationships and money amongst others. Some stress is acceptable and even beneficial. But persistent or ongoing stress can harm your general and oral health.
Stress and Overall Oral Health
Stress and oral health are storngly linked. A person under stress produces more cortisol. This hormone worsens inflammation throughout the body and, if it persists, may harm tissues and organs. Inflammation is not uncommon; a specific injury or infection can also cause inflammation, but it will eventually heal and the inflammation will be relieved.
The most common impact from persistent, also called chronic, inflammation in the mouth is gum disease. This can cause tooth loss and other severe health issues.
The Effects of Stress on Gums
Stress can harm your gums. Gum disease risk may increase as the body produces more inflammatory cytokines due to chronic stress. Additionally, stress can make you neglect your oral hygiene, allowing plaque and bacteria to build up along the gumline. This can result in gingivitis, making the gums enlarge, bleed, and turn red.
Gingivitis can worsen into periodontitis. Due to this disorder, the gums may pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth loss, and bone loss in the jaw.
Stress and Behavior Changes
Beyond inflammation, stress can also lead people to heavily indulge in harmful habits like alcohol or smoking. Both of those behaviors can also harm your oral health and raise the risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. Stress can also trigger bad dental hygiene practices, like forgetting to brush or floss. These habits may promote the development of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Other bad habits that can develop under stress include consuming sugary or acidic foods and beverages. They can wear away tooth enamel and cause decay.
The Effects of Stress on Teeth
Stress can cause several issues with your teeth. One of the most common is involuntary teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism. This condition can lead to worn or cracked teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. Over time, it can cause teeth to loosen or even fall out.
Alternatively, people can also clench teeth when under stress. It strains the jaw and may cause discomfort and exhaustion in the muscles. It can also lead to dry mouth, which raises the chance of developing cavities and gum disease.
Managing the Impact
There are ways to manage and lessen the harm that stress can do to your oral health. The first step is to control stress levels by practicing good behaviors like exercise, meditation, or counseling. Lowering your stress levels will also reduce cortisol levels and inflammation.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is an additional important step. Brush and floss twice a day, as well as routine dental checks and cleanings. This can lessen the risk of cavities and gum disease by preventing plaque and germs from growing.
If you are experiencing symptoms of bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard. Additionally, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing if you have gum disease. This is a deep cleaning procedure to remove plaque and tartar.
In conclusion, addressing stress can reduce the risk of developing oral health problems and maintain a healthy smile. Prioritizing your physical and mental health is important to ensure overall well-being.
Please contact us for assistance with any oral health issue. We welcome new patients and look forward to talking with you soon!
