Are you stressed out? Stress can affect many aspects of your physical and mental health, including your dental health. From canker sores to bruxism, stress can have many negative effects on your dental and oral health. Let’s take a look at how stress may be affecting your mouth.
Stress and Your Dental Health
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is one of the most common side effects of stress. Stress can cause you to grind your teeth at night, which you may not be aware of. You may also find yourself clenching your jaw during the day as a result of stress. Teeth grinding wears away the enamel on your teeth and can also cause jaw problems and headaches. Your dentist can fit you with a night guard that stops teeth grinding.
Canker Sores
You probably know canker sores as those small raised areas on the inside of your cheek that you accidentally bite when you’re chewing, resulting in pain and inflammation. It’s still not known exactly what causes these ulcers. Probable causes range from bacteria and viruses to immune system problems. Whatever the case, it is believed that stress can increase your chances of getting a canker sore. If you have a canker sore, try not to eat foods with a high acid contact (sour, spicy) that would irritate it. You can also try treating them with a topical anesthetic.
Bad Hygiene
In addition to teeth grinding and canker sores, stress can also cause you to simply forget to keep up your good dental hygiene habits. Forgetting to brush and floss can result in bad breath, tooth decay, and more. Try to keep your dental habits consistent during times of stress and calm.
About Olney Dental
Olney Dental has been providing comprehensive dental care for residents of Olney and the surrounding area since 1985. We’re conveniently located on the campus of Montgomery General Hospital, and provide care for all ages for children to adults and seniors. We’re also independently owned by our dentists, which allows us be patient driven in our approach to dentistry. Your smiles make us smile! You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-mouth-14/your-healthy-mouth/stress-teeth?page=1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/basics/definition/con-20029395