- How stress affects your oral health
- What are the signs of stress-related dental issues?
- The best ways to protect teeth from stress
- Experience stress-free dental care at Yonge Eglinton Dental
Stress levels are on the rise across society, and with them come ill effects that can impact our well-being.
Not only can stress take a toll on our mental health, but it can also manifest itself in our physical health. In many cases, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes have all been linked to excessive stress.
However, stress can also harm your teeth and gums, leading to oral health issues that may require intervention from your dentist to prevent long-term damage.
How stress affects your oral health
Stress can impact your teeth and gums in several ways. Sometimes, you might not even be aware of the effects until your oral health begins to show signs of cavities, tooth pain, gum disease, and other issues.
Some of the more common effects of stress that can lead to unhealthy teeth and gums include:
Teeth grinding
Can stress cause teeth grinding? Yes, it can – but we might not always be aware that we are doing it. This habit, also known as bruxism, often occurs during sleep or stressful moments.
If left unchecked, bruxism can cause damage to your teeth and jaws, as well as fillings, crowns, and other dental repair work. It can also cause severe tension headaches or pain in your face or jaw.
Jaw pain and TMJ disorder from stress
Our muscles, including those around the jaw, tend to tighten when we are stressed. Ongoing muscle tension can lead to inflammation, soreness, and pain. Over time, this condition can limit your jaw’s range of motion, making everyday habits such as chewing and talking difficult.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in your jaw, which are located just in front of the ear, can also be affected by pain and a clicking sound that occurs when you open and close your mouth.
Gum disease risk increases
Chronic stress has been shown to weaken our immune system, making our gums more susceptible to infection that leads to gingivitis, bleeding gums, and gum disease. This is also due to inflammation triggered by elevated cortisol, the hormone that manages our stress levels.
The risk of gum disease also increases due to the unhealthy coping habits people sometimes turn to in response to stress, such as neglecting oral hygiene, making poor diet choices, and smoking.
Dry mouth due to anxiety
Severe anxiety can change the way fluid is moved around your body. For example, when your “fight or flight” response is activated, your body may direct fluids, including saliva, to the muscles or other areas where it is needed. Less saliva will cause your mouth to dry out.
A dry mouth due to a lack of saliva production causes bad breath in the short term and elevates the risk of cavities over time.
Nail biting and chewing on objects
Many people will bite their fingernails or chew on objects such as the end of a pencil when feeling anxious. One might think this is better than bruxism as there is no tooth-on-tooth contact, but both habits are equally bad.
Biting on fingernails or other objects can cause chipped teeth and increased wear on enamel, the hard outer surface of your teeth protecting the soft tissue within. If the enamel is compromised, cavities can set in.
What are the signs of stress-related dental issues?
Seek help from your dental health team if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Waking up with a sore jaw or headache
- Increased tooth sensitivity when brushing due to grinding
- Receding, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Frequent mouth sores or canker sores
- Chronic dry mouth
- Persistent bad breath
The best ways to protect teeth from stress
Most of us cannot eliminate stress from our lives. However, we can make good choices to protect our health from the harmful effects that stress can cause.
In terms of your oral health, here are some strategies you can take to help keep your teeth and gums safe from those anxious times we all experience:
Use a nightguard for bruxism
Custom-fitted nightguards for bruxism can protect your enamel from the damage caused by teeth grinding. Simply pop it in at night or during stressful moments to prevent the adverse effects of bruxism.
Practice relaxation exercises
Stretching, yoga, and mindfulness techniques can help relieve tension. Just a few minutes every day can go a long way to relax your jaw muscles and mitigate the risk of damage to your oral health.
Stay hydrated
The best way to fight dry mouth is to drink more water. Water helps promote saliva production, helping to prevent bad breath while washing away cavity-causing food particles stuck in your mouth.
Improve your oral healthcare routine
No amount of stress is worth sacrificing your oral health for. Neglecting your oral healthcare routine can lead to severe issues with your teeth and gums, leading to even more stress!
Brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing at least once per day will help fight the effects of stress on your oral health. Besides, few things reduce stress than a big, healthy smile!
Experience stress-free dental care at Yonge Eglinton Dental
Perhaps the best defence for teeth and gum health is visiting your dentist at least twice per year for a regular examination, cleaning, and early detection of stress-related damage to prevent long-term dental issues.
However, what if the thought of visiting the dentist also causes you stress?
At Yonge Eglinton Dental, we take pride in creating a stress-free environment for all our patients. We take the time to find out what we can do to make your visit as enjoyable as possible and focus on creating a comfortable, pleasant experience that will have you looking forward to your next visit.
We cannot eliminate the stress in your life, but we can help protect your oral health from its adverse effects – one visit at a time.
Learn more about stress and oral health from the dental experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental in Toronto
Talk to our dental health team when you are ready to optimize your oral health. We will work together to ensure your teeth and gums look great and are as strong and healthy as possible. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online. We look forward to seeing you!
Are you concerned about visiting the dentist? Read about how we protect the health and safety of our patients and staff so your family can seek proper dental care with peace of mind.
