There’s no doubt about it – these are stressful times. Whether you’re dealing with keeping your family safe during the current pandemic, or just managing the day-to-day tensions of our normal lives, you should be aware that stress can have an impact on your overall health AND your oral health. As the old saying goes, “Knowledge is power,” so we’ve compiled this list of ways in which stress can affect your teeth and gums – so you are better equipped to maintain good oral health for yourself and your family during times of stress.
- Teeth grinding – If you’re worried about current events, your job, your personal relationships, or any other aspect of your life, that tension can cause you to grind your teeth. Many people experience this while they sleep without even realizing it. If you wake up still feeling tired or with a headache, overnight teeth grinding might be the cause.
- Mouth sores – If you’re prone to developing cold sores or canker sores – or sometimes even if you’re not – stress and anxiety can bring them on. In fact, stress is one of the main causes for mouth sores.
- Gum disease – Experiencing stress for an ongoing period of time can lower your immunity, and that can result in the health of your gums being compromised. If you don’t have gum disease, stress can make you more susceptible to developing it. If you already have gum disease, stress can make it worse.
- Dry mouth – Many of us have no doubt experienced dry mouth right before a job interview or some other stressful situation, so it should come as no surprise that dealing with a great deal of anxiety on a regular basis can result in chronic dry mouth. As it turns out, dry mouth is more than just an annoyance. In fact, it can increase your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Now, for some good news: there are precautions you can take to reduce the effects of stress on your oral health and your overall health. If you’re experiencing ongoing, regular feelings of anxiety, it’s important to take care of yourself and maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing the following:
- Eat a healthy diet. Include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Avoid sugar as much as possible.
- Exercise on a regular basis.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Be diligent about keeping up with your at-home oral hygiene routine every day.
- Find healthy ways to alleviate stress, such as yoga, meditation, or relaxation exercises.
- Avoid turning to alcohol or drugs. These substances will wreak havoc with your oral and overall health.
And, of course, whenever it’s possible be sure to see your dentist and healthcare provider on a regular basis. Stress is manageable, but you’ll need to work at it each and every day.
