Most healthcare providers maintain that stress can have an adverse impact upon the body and initiate or exacerbate numerous underlying conditions. Research has proven that oral health is no exception.
Stress’s Impact Upon Dental Health
Stress can have several physical and systemic impacts on one’s teeth, gums, and other pertinent oral components and precipitate deleterious events such as:
Teeth Grinding
Individuals experiencing exorbitant or constant tension often grind their teeth as a means of release. Unfortunately, this action can precipitate damage to the impacted subject’s teeth.
Canker Sores
Excessive stress might elicit systemic chemical imbalances that precipitates the development of canker sores. These small but painful ulcers could render necessary activities such as eating and speaking a challenge.
Weakened Immune System
Persons under significant physical, mental, or emotional duress often encounter weakened immune systems. This potentially serious problem increases their risk of contracting dental infections and other oral ailments.
Jaw Problems
Increasingly stressed souls often clench their jaws. This action may result in jaw pain. Moreover, over time, such behavior might precipitate damage to jaw muscles and bones or even lead to a potentially debilitating condition titled temporomandibular joint disorder, which is more commonly abbreviated as TMD.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Stress holds the capacity to induce systemic hormonal changes that could manifest in a symptom called burning mouth syndrome. This malady causes one’s oral cavity to tingle and experience a burning sensation.
Bad Stress-Busting Habits
Those facing heightened anxiety may turn to potential dental health-harming habits, like consuming sugary comfort foods, cigarette smoking, or moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.
Stress-Countering Measures
Fortunately, persons coping with frequent and significant stress may be able to maintain solid oral health by engaging in counteractive measures including:
Practicing Good Dental Hygiene
Tension-laden individuals are strongly urged to place greater emphasis on optimal oral hygienic practices, such as brushing at least twice per day, flossing after meals and snacks, using mouthwash, and obtaining professional evaluations once or twice a year.
Limiting Or Eliminating Bad Vices
Stressed persons are firmly encouraged to identify and participate in more productive, oral health-friendly vices than smoking, drinking, and eating the wrong foods.
Engage In Tension-Lessening Activities
Those coping with high anxiety might avoid reactionary movements like teeth grinding and jaw clenching by engaging in relaxation techniques, such as yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing exercises.
Contact Us
Current or future patients with questions about this topic, other dental care issues, or to schedule a consultation are asked to visit http://studiobsmiles.com/.
