What is Relationship Between Stress and Oral Health?

Stress is a common problem that almost every individual suffers from. Stress happens due to many reasons, such as work, relationships, and finances. Stress can be mild or severe. It can have a negative effect on your overall health. It can cause many health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and oral health.

How Stress Affects Your Teeth

When your body produces cortisol, which is triggered by stress, it impacts more than your mental health - it also affects your oral health. Cortisol causes inflammation throughout the body, including the gums and mouth. This can trigger gum disease, tooth loss, and even bad breath. Plus, when your heart starts to race from stressful moments, it can cause you to grind your teeth, which wears down enamel and increases your risk of tooth decay.

Reducing stress is important for keeping your overall health under control, but did you know it can also improve your dental health? Don’t just focus on reducing stress through exercise or meditation; make sure you also take a look at your diet, too. Foods rich in antioxidants can counteract the effects of stress, so try some berries or dark chocolate the next time you feel stressed!

How Stress Affects Your Jaw

When you have a lot of stress in your life, you may be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it. This is a common sign of bruxism or teeth grinding. Over time, it can cause severe damage to your teeth. This can even lead to tooth loss. Many people grind their teeth when they are asleep because they can’t control this habit at that time. It is a subconscious behavior that usually occurs as a result of stress. 

How to Manage Stress

There are several ways to manage stress. One thing you can do is practice relaxation techniques. There are plenty of apps for your phone that can teach you how to relax your body and clear your mind. Meditation is also good for this. Another thing you can do is exercise regularly. Exercise can help release endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. It can also be a form of distraction from whatever is causing you stress.

In addition to dealing with your stress, you may also need to see your dentist or periodontist for treatment of what causes it in the first place. For example, if you have bruxism, you may need a custom night guard to prevent further damage to your teeth. If you notice you are clenching during the day, you will need to see a dentist for dental treatment as well. If the cause of your stress is something that cannot be treated through medicine, such as PTSD or anxiety attacks, then you will need therapy in addition to any other types of care.

If you wish to learn more, contact our dentist in Boston, MA, right away. For the best dental care, visit Charles Street Dental at 121 Charles St S Boston, MA, or call (617) 579-8800.