Stress is a widespread problem in today’s frenetic era that affects everything including our health — both physical and psychological, explains an East Charlotte general dentist. But there is one area that tends to get forgotten about, which is stress and how it affects your oral health. So, for those who live in East Charlotte, being aware of the connection between stress and oral health is important for ensuring overall health. In this long article, I will explain how stress affects oral health and share some tips to help manage stress and keep your smile!
How Stress Affects the Body
Stress is the way, in which our body responds to demanding situations. Although we are biologically programmed to respond swiftly to danger, excessive long-term stress is very bad for us. Eventual health effects include but are not limited to, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness.
The Link Between Stress & Oral Health
-
Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching): Bruxism is among the most common ways stress can impact your oral health. Some people grind or clench their teeth in response to stress, often during sleep, and are most often unaware they do so. In turn, this can lead to a variety of problems ranging from tooth wear and fractures to even damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), resulting in jaw pain and discomfort.
-
Gum Disease (Periodontitis): When suffering from stress our immune system can be at its weakest making it a lot harder for your body to fight off infections such as those in the gums. Stress also causes inflammation throughout the body which can worsen gum disease. The symptoms of gum disease include puffy, bleeding gums, bad breath, and even tooth loss in more severe cases.
-
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Stress may decrease your saliva production, causing a dry mouth. Saliva neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and washes away bits of food. Without an adequate flow of saliva, one is at higher risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth infections.
-
Canker Sores: Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can develop on the inside of your mouth. Stress is a known cause of canker sores. In some, ulcers can render chewing and speaking uncomfortable: without relief in sight as they tend to frequent recurrent bouts in those under constant stress.
Prioritizing Oral Health
Learning how to manage stress is crucial when it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums. A balanced lifestyle can reduce a lot of stress’s impact. Part of this is achieved through a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper rest, and the avoidance of damaging habits such as smoking and alcohol. Use stress reduction tools like deep breathing, meditation, yoga or mindfulness. These are practices that help to settle the mind and bring down the physiology of stress. If stress moves outside of your control, it may be time to talk to a therapist or counselor who can provide valuable tips on how to deal with stress.
East Charlotte’s local resources
Stress management and dental health can be challenging to navigate, however, East Charlotte provides a wealth of resources for residents. They help with just about everything from preventive to restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Yoga and meditation classes at recreation centers and gyms, community parks, and recreational areas for outdoor physical activity. There is also availability of Mental Health Professionals and Support Groups to help you with stress and overall well-being.
To conclude, stress is something that has to be present in everyone’s life, but unhealthy stress or over-stress can harm your oral health badly. Residents of East Charlotte should understand the relationship that stress and oral health share to keep their mouths healthy, which in turn will reflect on their overall state of being. You can protect the health of your mouth from the harmful effects of stress by practicing healthy lifestyle choices, reducing stress, and ensuring regular oral check-ups. It is important not to forget that a healthy life leads to a healthy body, including your teeth and gums. Utilize the resources in East Charlotte, and seek professional help if you are feeling too stressed out.
