We all know that high levels of stress can be unhealthy for your mind and body. But while you may often think about the ways it can impact your heart and mind, you might not be aware of all the ways it can also affect your oral health. There are a variety of intense stressors that can prove damaging to one’s well-being and it’s important to recognize when that anxiety is taking a toll and the ways it can be impactful on your teeth and gums. If you are among the millions who are dealing with high stress levels, practicing good dental hygiene is even more important than usual.
1. Bruxism
The clinical term for grinding your teeth, stress is the leading cause of this damaging habit and you may not even realize you’re doing since it often happens while you sleep. But your brain is working overtime trying to process all of the anxiety you’re dealing with and it’s causing you to grind, gnash, and grit your teeth. Too much of it can result in the teeth becoming fractured.
2. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Better known as TMJ, stress can also result in your jaw being knocked out of alignment from clenching it too much, either awake or asleep. TMJ can be very painful, interfering with the way you talk and eat. Severe cases can make opening the mouth difficult. You will need to wear a special mouth-guard at night to realign the jaw.
3. Canker Sores
We’ve all had one before, but those who are dealing with a lot of stress may experience them more often. These small ulcers in the mouth can become extremely painful, making it hard to eat or talk. Some sores get so bad that they could take weeks to heal entirely.
4. Hygiene Neglect
Sometimes too much stress can be overwhelming and certain daily routines fall by the wayside. You may not eat regularly or sleep well if you have too much anxiety. Hygiene can also suffer, resulting in you forgetting to brush or floss regularly. Letting your dental hygiene degrade can lead to a build-up of bacteria in the mouth, increasing the potential for gum disease.
5. Gum Disease
When you let too much bacteria build up on your teeth and gums, you may notice they start to bleed when you brush. Severe cases can lead to loose teeth and swollen, painful gums. This is why maintaining proper dental hygiene is so important, especially when you are under a lot of stress.
