Stress can cause many health complications, affecting everything from heart health to blood pressure. But did you know it can also impact your oral health?
As a dentist in Vienna, VA, I regularly see the results of untreated or unaddressed stress during dental checkups and even emergency dental visits!
In this blog, we examine how stress can impact your oral health and some measures you can take to help manage it.
Unaddressed Stress and Your Oral Health
- Oral Infections and Mouth Sores — Sores (including canker sores) or infections in the mouth are sometimes linked to untreated stress. You may be constantly thinking about specific issues or feeling overwhelmed by life. In either case, unchecked stress can show up in the mouth!
- Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism) — Nighttime teeth grinding can have various causes, including certain medications or lifestyle choices. However, stress can also lead to bruxism, which can destroy teeth and cause substantial pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and jaw.
- Jaw Joint Disorder — TMJ may be linked to stress or can result from bruxism. You may notice a clicking sound in the joint when you yawn or chew. Without treatment, TMJ can be very painful.
- Poor Oral Care — Constant stress, especially feeling like there are not enough hours in the day to address your responsibilities, may mean that vital tasks like brushing and flossing are rushed and sometimes skipped, leading to cavities and even gum disease.
Stress Management Is Vital to Your Well-Being and Health
Talk to your doctor about stress management and evaluate your current circumstances to find areas where you can potentially cut back. In other words, try to make more time for you! It’s not always easy, but a little downtime is crucial to your long-term physical and oral health.
Also, book an appointment with my dental office today if you notice oral health changes, including jaw joint pain or sores that do not heal.