It’s normal to experience a little bit of stress in your daily life. Traffic, work deadlines, and even deciding what to have for dinner can all temporarily raise your cortisol levels. The good news, however, is that these because these situations are brief, typically so are the effects. But what happens when you suffer from chronic stress? In the long term, it can cause muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, weakened immunity, hormonal imbalances, and even problems with your oral health. Here’s a closer look at a few ways it can put your smile at risk, and what you can do about it.
The Dangers of Chronic Stress on Your Smile
Unfortunately, many of the dangers of chronic can occur without you even realizing they’re happening. Behaviors like teeth grinding, for example, are often done subconsciously, such as when you’re asleep or in a meeting. Known as bruxism, this can cause accelerated wear to your teeth, broken or chipped teeth, and jaw clenching or tension that causes pain and stiffness and may even contribute to a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Additionally, some patients who suffer from chronic stress and anxiety may be less likely to care for their teeth with regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting their dentist for their regular, six-month cleaning and check-up appointments. This can lead to an increase in cavities, tooth decay, and risk of gum disease.
Protecting Your Teeth and Gums from Chronic Stress
The good news is that you don’t have to let the side effects of chronic stress ravage your smile. If you are experiencing any of the painful effects of bruxism, speak to your dentist about having a custom mouthguard made. These comfortable, lightweight devices help absorb the impact on your teeth and jaw created by clenching and grinding, protecting them from excessive wear and damage. They also can help reduce your risk of developing or worsening TMD.
Additionally, be sure to care for your teeth properly with regular oral hygiene. Though life can be busy and it can be easy to become overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety and worry, maintaining your oral health only takes a few minutes each day, and having a clean, healthy smile is one less thing you’ll need to worry about. Finally, don’t forget to schedule your regular, biannual exam and cleaning appointments with your dentist. These visits will help keep your teeth looking their best and can alert you to emerging oral health issues like gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer, before they have a chance to get worse.
Remember, chronic stress doesn’t have to destroy your smile. If you are noticing ill effects of mental health issues that may or may not be taking their toll on your physical health, please seek help from a qualified professional. To keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, schedule an exam with your dentist today.
About Our Practice
At Epic Family Dentistry of Carrollton, our practice may be small, but the impact our team has on our patients is huge! Whether you need a preventive exam and cleaning, a cosmetic upgrade, or you’re concerned about conditions like bruxism or TMJ disorder, we are proud to provide a variety of useful solutions with a personalized touch. To schedule an appointment for your smile, visit our website today or call us directly at 972-820-7294.