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Stress is a common part of our lives. Everyone experiences some amount of stress or anxiety sometime in their life, and that’s okay! However, if stress is a regular part of your life, it can negatively impact your oral health. This is because stress causes a wide range of physiological responses in your body that affects every system of your body, including your mouth. Some of the most common problems are dry mouth and teeth grinding.

Stress and Dental Health

Saliva helps wash away food particles, bacteria, and debris in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Failing to brush and floss regularly causes your mouth to become overly dry, resulting in a dry mouth, which can also increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Dry mouth is fairly common for many people with stress. It can cause sore spots in your mouth, tooth decay, and gum disease. This is because saliva is important for cleaning your mouth of bacteria and preventing other problems. If your mouth becomes dry, it can lead to more plaque buildup and an increased risk of cavities. Your risk of gum disease also increases due to less saliva being able to wash away bacteria from your teeth. One way you can help alleviate your dry mouth is to drink water frequently throughout the day. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine as both of these beverages have a drying effect on the body.

Another condition associated with stress is bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding. This habit can wreak havoc on your jaw, cause tooth damage such as fractures, and even lead to TMJ disorders. There are a variety of ways to treat teeth grinding, including wearing a mouth guard at night to prevent you from clenching and grinding during your sleep. 

There are many things you can do to reduce your stress levels to better your oral health. Try meditation or yoga to help relax your mind, find ways to manage your time more efficiently so you don’t feel rushed, and make sure to get plenty of sleep each night so you are well-rested. You should also visit your dentist for regular dental checkups to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Solace Dental, call (630) 759-3595 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 287 N Weber Rd, Bolingbrook, IL, 60490.