How Are Chronic Stress & Oral Health Intertwined?

It comes as no surprise that stress can impact your general health. Simply feeling anxious can cause digestive issues, headaches, chest pains, acne, or other symptoms. Then imagine that feeling being prolonged and constant with chronic stress – it’s no surprise this is detrimental to you in myriad ways including the effect on your oral health. When your dentist in Carmel conducts a checkup and cleaning, they will often be able to see evidence of stress-related conditions. Keep reading to learn just how significant the impact is and how you can prevent chronic stress from sabotaging your smile.

Biting Your Fingernails

Do you chew when you’re nervous? Some people may bite their fingernails when they’re stressed and not even realize it. However, this seemingly mindless habit can be harmful to your oral health.

Nail-biting can move your teeth out of position, wear away your enamel, and introduce bacteria into your mouth that can lead to infections. If you feel the need to chew on something, try eating hard, tooth-friendly foods like apples, carrots, or celery instead.

Gum Disease

Researchers from the University at Buffalo, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Michigan discovered the severity of gum disease increased corresponding to the amount of stress a patient experienced. That’s because when you’re feeling stressed, your body has a much more difficult time fighting off infections.

While this issue may initially only cause inflamed gums that bleed easily, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. Practicing good oral hygiene and regularly visiting your dentist will help keep your gums healthy.

Teeth Grinding

Stress and anxiety are two major causes of bruxism, the medical term for teeth grinding. It’s a common oral health problem that usually happens when you’re asleep. Bruxism slowly wears down your enamel, leading to sensitive, weakened teeth that are more vulnerable to chips, cracks, and cavities. If the condition is severe, it may even cause loose or broken teeth.

TMJ Disorder

Feeling stressed may cause you to clench your jaw and grind your teeth, possibly leading to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Symptoms can include constant headaches, discomfort, clicking, and popping. To protect your smile from the extra pressure, your dentist may suggest wearing a custom nightguard, meditation, or antianxiety medication.

Canker Sores

Most people have experienced the occasional mouth ulcer or canker sore. While vitamin B deficiency and mouth irritation are usually at fault, multiple studies show stress is another big trigger for canker sores. They generally occur inside the mouth and are not contagious. If you’re experiencing discomfort, your dentist may prescribe a gel or cream to relieve pain.

Stress-Management Tips

Reducing stress can help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips to alleviate tension:

• Exercise and practice relaxation techniques (meditation, deep breathing, yoga, stretching).
• Seek professional counseling or discuss your problems with someone you trust.
• Change your outlook! Try to view certain life events as positive challenges rather than threats.
• Eat a nutritious diet and get at least 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.

Keeping your stress levels down can make a dramatic difference in improving the quality of your life. If you’re concerned mental or emotional strain may be affecting your oral health, consult with your dentist in Carmel about finding a solution. Together, you can develop a plan to keep your grin looking good and ensure you have the desire to use it!

About the Author

Dr. Aaron Springhetti realized as a teenager he could channel his interest in creating things and working with his hands into dentistry, so he began to shadow local dentists and specialists – the rest is history. He went on to obtain his dental doctorate from the University of Louisville. While Dr. Springhetti offers targeted solutions to some of the symptoms discussed above, such as gum disease treatment and TMJ therapy, the first step is to have him thoroughly assess the symptoms of your chronic stress during a dental exam. You can schedule one on his website or by calling (317) 875-7645.