Stress and Oral Health
There is a definite link between oral health and chronic stress. Everyone knows stress can affect physical health, but it can also affect the health of your teeth and gums. Our dentist in Virginia understands this and will help you improve your oral health by finding a way to help you decrease your stress and mitigate any damage it caused.
How Can Stress Affect My Dental Health?
Prolonged stress can suppress your immune system, making it more likely that you will get infections, such as sores and gum disease. It can also cause people to grind their teeth while they are sleeping. Stress may keep some individuals from taking good care of their teeth like they once did.
What Oral Health Conditions Does Stress Cause?
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Stress often causes individuals to grind their teeth and clench their jaw while asleep. Some individuals also clench their jaw throughout the day. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause significant damage to your teeth and jaw. Chipped or cracked teeth or restorations, like crowns, are common. Clenching your jaw can contribute to TMJ disorders.
TMJ or TMD
Chronic stress can make you clench your jaw repeatedly, both when you are awake and asleep. The constant clenching can damage the temporomandibular joint. People refer to this as either TMJ or TMD. You have two of these joints, one on either side of your face, that connect the lower jaw to your skull. Without them, you could not open your mouth. If you notice that your jaw feels sore or it makes a popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth, contact our dentist in Virginia to schedule an appointment.
Poor Oral Hygiene
When you're under prolonged stress, you may not pay enough attention to your normal dental hygiene routine. Regular checkups and teeth cleanings may be delayed as well, especially if you are stressed because you don't have enough time in the day. Make the time for proper dental hygiene to help prevent stress-related issues like cavities and gum disease.
Infections and Sores
When you're stressed, your immune system does not work as well. This can lead to canker sores in your mouth and gum disease. Canker sores, which always appear inside the mouth, can make it painful to chew, eat, or drink anything spicy. Fortunately, canker sores will go away on their own in time.
How Can I Take Care of My Mouth If I Am Chronically Stressed?
No matter how much stress you are under, you still have to maintain your normal dental hygiene routine. Also, you have to keep up with regular dental exams and teeth cleanings, regardless of how busy you are. If you don't, the resulting dental problems will only add to your stress.
Addressing Your Stress
Identifying your stressors is the first step. Many times, people can't eliminate what is stressing you, like family or jobs, but they can learn ways to manage the stress. Your dentist in Virginia can help you address any issues in your mouth related to stress.
What Can I Do About Teeth Grinding?
While you're addressing the reasons you are grinding your teeth at night, your dentist in Virginia can fit you with a custom night guard to protect your teeth. The night guard will save your tooth enamel and help keep you from waking up with headaches.
How Can a Dentist Help Me Manage Tooth Pain From Stress?
If you're in pain, your dentist can treat you to ease your pain. He or she can also recommend an OTC pain reliever or physical therapy to ease your symptoms.
What Else Can I Do?
Maintain a healthy diet and try to avoid eating extra comfort foods like cake or anything else sugary. Don't smoke or drink alcohol to ease your stress. Maintain your normal dental hygiene routine. Look for healthy ways to reduce your stress, like taking a walk in the park or exercising, or whatever you enjoy if you cannot change what is stressing you.
If you're experiencing dental issues related to stress, please contact our office to arrange an appointment with our dentist in Virginia.
