Stress and Oral Health

There are a lot of things that can have an impact on your oral health. While poor dental hygiene and unhealthy eating habits are commonly known to affect your teeth and gums, long-term stress can also be very harmful to your mouth. Here are several ways that stress can affect your oral health.

Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth is a natural reaction when you experience stress. This reaction oftentimes goes unnoticed, as you’re more concerned with the circumstances that are bothering you at the moment. Teeth grinding can lead to your teeth being ground down, which can cause a lot of sensitivity and costly dental procedures over time.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a condition that causes gums to become swollen, tender and prone to bleeding. Studies have shown that there is a connection between increased stress and the onset of gingivitis. Gingivitis can be difficult to treat, so not having to deal with this condition is yet another great benefit to reducing your stress.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Being stressed is a common reason for not completing a daily oral hygiene regimen. When your worries are big, the little things such as brushing your teeth and flossing become more difficult to remember. While not brushing here and there won’t hurt you, doing so for a longer period of time can lead to a wide range of conditions that cause pain and damage to your mouth.

Painful Canker Sores

Canker sores are ulcers that form in and around your mouth. They can be extremely painful and cause you to have difficulty eating, drinking and speaking, and can take a while to heal after they form. The pain and sensitivity of a canker sore are much less likely to become a reality if you are able to keep your stress under control.

These are just a few of the most common ways that stress can cause damage to your mouth. By managing stress while also sticking to your regular brushing and flossing routine, you can greatly reduce your chances of experiencing any of these issues.

Are you stressed? Do you have teeth-grinding symptoms? Are you worried your stress may lead to additional oral health problems? Suburban Essex Dental is here to help you. While you are learning to deal with your stress, there is teeth grinding treatment available. For one, a teeth-grinding mouthguard can help. 

Contact Suburban Essex Dental so we can discuss your options. We are located in West Orange, New Jersey.