How Can Stress Affect Oral Health?

We all know that too much stress is bad for your health. It impacts your emotional well-being, but it also affects your oral health as well. This is because your body reacts to stress by releasing stress hormones and chemicals into your bloodstream. These hormones can cause your blood pressure to rise, which can create inflammation in your gum tissues. In addition, they may cause you to grind your teeth at night while sleeping or clench your jaw during the day. This can wear down your tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. 

This is why it’s critical that you see your dentist if you are feeling stressed. They can examine your mouth for any tooth damage and assess the health of your smile. They can also provide treatment to repair any damage that may have occurred and help you reduce your stress levels in the future. 

How Stress Affects Orally

When people feel stressed, they may have anxiety or feel angry. Holding this in can increase blood pressure and cause tension headaches. It’s also common for people to clench their jaw and grind their teeth while stressed. This can sometimes lead to tooth damage that requires restorative dental treatments.

Dental problems caused by stress can be minor, such as replacing a lost filling, or they can be more serious, such as a cracked or broken tooth. If you’ve had an accident that caused damage to your teeth, you should call your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment.

If you suffer from bruxism, also known as chronic teeth grinding, it can cause significant damage to your teeth and cause them to shift out of place. Teeth grinding can lead to TMJ disorder as well, which causes pain in the jaw joint and surrounding areas.

One way to manage stress is through the use of exercise. Exercising regularly can reduce stress levels and help you cope with difficult situations better. If you’re not currently physically active, talk to your healthcare provider about how to start being more active.

Another way to relieve your stress is through practicing meditation and relaxation techniques. This can include activities such as yoga or taking a hot bath with essential oils. If you have severe stress, it may be a good idea to talk to a therapist or try medications that can help manage the symptoms. Your dentist may be able to refer you to someone who specializes in treating this type of issue.

At Dental Attraction, our dentists offer various dental services and procedures. To schedule an appointment with us, visit our office, Dental Attraction, at 4727 Frankford Rd #333, Dallas, TX 75287. You can also reach us, the Dentist in Dallas, TX, at (972) 733-0999.