Your Oral Health and Stress
Posted on 4/25/2022 by Evan |
 In terms of our health and wellbeing, stress can play an important role. Whether it's promoting weight gain, causing anxiety, or affecting our sleep, stress has a way of permeating nearly every aspect of our lives. Dental health is no exception. It's critical to understand how stress can increase your chances of having problems with your mouth, teeth, and gums, especially during a time when many people are experiencing higher levels of stress than usual. It's not uncommon to have oral sores caused by stress, gum disease due to stress, or TMJ due to stress. However, you can minimize your risk by addressing these problems and managing them.
How Stress Can Impact Your Smile
Our bodies produce excessive amounts of cortisol under high levels of stress, which can lead to serious immune system problems. Stress and a lowered immune system often manifest as canker sores in the mouth. It's important to note that canker sores aren't contagious; however, they are very painful. Cold sores, which appear on the outside of the mouth as well as being caused by the herpes simplex virus, differ from canker sores, which aren't associated with a virus. Cold sores are extremely common, with 90 percent of Americans having been exposed to the disease by the age of 50. Dry mouth is more likely to occur when you're stressed. It is also possible to experience dry mouth when taking medications for stress, anxiety, and depression. Dry mouth may only be an issue on a day-to-day basis, but over time it can put you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease. This is because lack of saliva lowers the body's defense against bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When the body suffers from long-term stress, it is less able to fight off infection, leading to an increased risk for gum disease and ultimately tooth loss. Nail-biting might seem like a harmless reaction to stress, but it can impact your oral health.
Reduce Stress For Better Oral Health
Your overall health, as well as your teeth and gums, will be greatly improved if you find ways to reduce your stress. Make sure that you get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, laugh and smile every day, and exercise regularly to release endorphins that help you deal with stress. Furthermore, it should come as no surprise that maintaining your dental routine is the #1 way to ensure your oral wellbeing, especially in times of stress. Keep your teeth clean by brushing them twice a day for two minutes each, flossing once a day, using an antibacterial mouthwash and seeing your dentist at least every six months.
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