Quick Summary
Stress can directly harm your oral health by causing teeth grinding and jaw clenching (bruxism), worsening temporomandibular joint disorder with symptoms like jaw pain and headaches, and weakening your immune system to increase your risk of cavities, canker sores, and gum disease. Maintaining consistent brushing and flossing during stressful periods and visiting your dentist regularly helps detect and prevent stress-related damage like flattened tooth tips or jaw joint problems before they worsen.
Key Takeaways
- Schedule regular dental checkups so your dentist can detect early signs of stress-related damage like flattened tooth tips from grinding or jaw joint problems.
- Maintain your daily brushing and flossing routine even during high-stress periods to protect against infections and decay caused by stress-weakened immunity.
- Watch for symptoms of teeth grinding such as a sore jaw upon waking or flatter tooth tips and ask your dentist about protective solutions like a night guard.
- Address dry mouth and canker sores quickly during stressful times since these conditions increase your cavity risk and signal that stress is compromising your oral health.
DID YOU KNOW THAT STRESS can have an effect on your oral health? As if you needed any more on your plate! Knowing how stress and oral health are connected can help you combat any problems that might arise.
Stress May Contribute to Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is the technical term for habitual teeth grinding and jaw clenching. For some people, clenching and grinding are natural responses to stress and frustration. Teeth grinding, however, usually occurs during sleep, meaning that people are often unaware of the problem. Flatter tips of the teeth and a sore jaw are common signs of bruxism.
Stress Can Worsen Symptoms of TMD
TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the jaw joint and associated muscles used in moving the jaw and neck. Similar to bruxism, stress is thought to be a contributing factor in TMD, causing jaw clenching, joint pain, headaches, and even popping and clicking of the jaw.
Your Immune System Is Weakened During Times of Stress
Stress can actually compromise your immune system, increasing your risk of oral infections, and infections in general. Some people experience dry mouth (xerostomia), putting them at a higher risk of developing cavities. Others contract canker sores when stressed. Stress can even increase your chances of experiencing gum disease.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene and Health, Even During Difficult Times
Keeping your oral health routine in tip-top shape, especially when you are stressed, is essential! Continue to practice good oral hygiene and you will protect your mouth from infection and decay.
For most people, it’s difficult to see the effects of stress on their bodies until something happens. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly, as he or she can detect the telltale signs of stress in your mouth and help you to remedy any problems.
We Want To Make Life Easier For You
When you’re under a lot of pressure or life gets tough, the last thing you think about is your oral health. We want to make things easier for you by helping you to avoid any oral health issues not only when you’re stressed out, but all the time!
Learning to deal with the inevitable stresses of life in a positive way will boost your oral and overall health. However, if you do feel you are experiencing any symptoms of bruxism, TMD, or other oral health problems, call us and schedule an appointment. We have solutions for you!
Many people find our relaxing environment free from stress to be a bubble from the real world. Come get your teeth cleaned sit back in a comfortable chair listen to relaxing music. Turn your phone off for one hour while getting your teeth cleaned. It can serve as an oasis in a world full of stress.
Call us today at 423-899-1112! Keeping our patients happy and healthy is our priority!
