Stress takes a toll on more than just your mind — your teeth suffer too
Stress. Everyone has it, but did you know it can negatively impact your well-being? Your thoughts and feelings can evoke negative physical reactions. Health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes are common problems associated with too much stress. It is important to visit your dentist in SW Calgary regularly to determine if you are experiencing stress-related dental problems. Keeping your oral health in check is one way to relieve tension in your body.
What Types of Dental Problems May Be a Result of Stress?
Stress may be impacting your oral health. Your dentist will be able to help you by offering dental procedures to eliminate the root of the problem. Measures to calm yourself including meditation, exercise, and eating healthy often go hand in hand with dental treatments. Relaxation techniques aid in putting you in a positive mindset and help keep your body healthy.
- Teeth Grinding – Bruxism, or grinding teeth, is often a stress-related issue. The strain of your daily life can be causing you to unknowingly exert pressure on your teeth and jaw. Over time, this can lead to damaged enamel, jaw pain, and headaches. A customized mouthguard can help protect your teeth.
- Gum Disease – Bacterial infections are more difficult to fight off when you are under stress because stress affects your immune system. When too much bacteria builds up in your mouth it can lead to gum problems. Regular dental visits and cleanings can stop the spread of this type of infection by eliminating bad bacteria.
- Dry Mouth – An uncomfortable symptom of stress, you may experience a reduction in saliva production. Saliva helps wash away bad bacteria to maintain a healthy oral environment. Lack of saliva increases your risks for smelly breath and tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water and chewing on water-filled foods like watermelon and apples can help wash away bacteria.
How Else Does Stress Affect Your Oral Health?
Coping with stress can lead to engaging in unhealthy habits that can cause dental issues. Some of these are:
- Sugar-Filled Diet – Stress eating and drinking a lot of sugary things wreaks havoc on your teeth and gums. Sticky residue can form that is difficult to get off, leading to a build-up of plaque and tartar.
- Smoking and Drinking – You may tend to smoke and drink more when stressed out. Excessive habits like these can lead to gum disease, or worse, oral cancer.
- Bad Oral Hygiene – Ignoring your regular dental visits is something you might do while under stress because you don’t want to deal with anything else. This, however, is detrimental to your oral health. Your dentist in SW Calgary can correct issues before they escalate into a more stressful situation.
- Bad Habits – Picking up bad habits is easy, especially when you are stressed. Some bad habits that can negatively impact your teeth are chewing your nails, opening bottles and cans with your teeth, and crunching down on jawbreakers.
It is up to you to take control of your situation so try to focus on things that will help make you feel better.
Other Things You Can Do to Reduce Stress
Consider cutting down on or cutting out caffeine from your diet. Coffee is known to give you the jitters which may only add to your stress level. Go to bed at a reasonable hour to get enough sleep so you are refreshed and feel good for a new day. When you are tired you are more likely to get stressed over minuscule things. Breathe, just breathe. Deep breathing techniques can help calm your mind and release positive endorphins.
How to Take Care of Your Mouth to Lessen Stress-Related Problems
Consistent twice-a-day brushing and daily flossing can help you maintain a healthy smile even when under stress. When you take care of your body it is more likely to take care of you. When you are unsure if you need dental help, it is a good idea to visit your dentist in SW Calgary. Peace of mind is the result of a dental appointment at Glenbrook Dental. We care about how you feel and can help with stress-associated dental issues.