Most people know that stress is a normal part of life, but also that it affects many things in life. It can affect your mood, energy level, and health, and you might be surprised to know that it can also affect your oral health. Here are some of the effects that stress may have on your teeth, gums, and mouth.
It can lead to grinding of the teeth
When a person is stressed, it causes their body to tense up, and one of the effects this can have is grinding of the teeth. Grinding typically occurs while a person is sound asleep, and the person generally has no idea that he or she is even doing it. One problem with grinding is that it can cause you to wake up with a sore jaw. Grinding also tends to cause teeth to wear down, and this can lead to enamel erosion and an increased risk of cavities. There are a variety of other problems that grinding can lead to as well, and you might be grinding your teeth simply because you feel overwhelmed and stressed.
It can increase your risks of gum disease
A second effect of stress on your body is a decrease in the functions of your body's immune system. When the immune system in your body is not working as well as it could and should be, it can lead to a variety of problems. In your mouth, a decreased immune system can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Therefore, the stress in your life could increase your risk of gum disease forming.
It can increase your chances of developing canker sores
While canker sores are not really harmful, they are annoying, and you might have a higher risk of developing these types of sores in your mouth if you have a lot of stress in your life.
It can lead to less care for your mouth
It is also important to know that if you feel highly stressed, you might also feel unmotivated and tired, and these types of feelings often lead to failing to take care of your basic daily oral needs. You might not feel like brushing your teeth as often as you once did if you are dealing with a lot of stress, and you might stop flossing and using a daily rinse, simply because you are not motivated to do so. If this happens, you could be putting your mouth at risk for problems, such as cavities.
If you are interested in learning more about how stress is affecting your mouth, schedule an appointment with a dentist today. Contact a family dentist like Thomas Krull, DDS, PC to learn more or for help with other dental issues.
Share28 June 2019
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.