Most of us know how stress can affect our health. But you may not realize that stress can also impact our oral health. This makes it even more important to reduce your stress levels as much as possible. Here are a few oral health issues that can either be caused or exacerbated by stress:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding) – If you are under a great deal of stress, one of the most common ways in which your body reacts is to clench your jaw and grind your teeth. Whether you engage in this habit while you’re awake or while you’re sleeping, it can cause a variety of oral health problems, such as wearing down the surface of your teeth and causing pain and discomfort in your jaw.
- TMJ disorder – Your TMJ (or temporomandibular joint) is located on each side of your face, where your jaw connects to your cheek. People who suffer from TMJ disorder often experience significant pain in and around this joint, as well as in the ear on face. Stress can be either the root cause of TMJ disorder, and/or can make the condition much worse.
- Compromised immune system – If you are under a great deal of stress, it can compromise your immune system. This often leads to conditions such as gum disease.
- Cold sores and other oral infections – Stress is a common cause for cold sores and other oral infections that manifest as white or red spots, white lines, or ulcers inside the mouth.
- Conditions related to poor oral hygiene – If you have so much stress in your life that you are not brushing and flossing each day, you will most likely end up with tooth decay and/or gum disease much quicker than you might imagine.
Fortunately, there are several effective methods for reducing stress. Talk to your doctor to decide what will work best for you. In the meantime, keep in mind that your oral health could be at significantly greater risk during period of high stress. Whatever you do, don’t self-medicate by using tobacco, alcohol or drugs – those are poor choices that won’t alleviate stress and will only make your overall and oral health much worse. Instead, focus on taking good care of yourself. Try to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine each and every day – one that includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. And visit your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and oral exams. If you notice signs that may indicate one of the problems listed above, call your dentist right away. Oral health issues are always easier to treat if they’re caught in the early stages.
