Stress, and the negative impact it has on health, is an unfortunate reality of the human condition. Stress affects our body in a lot of different ways, but one way that is often overlooked is oral health.
While stressing about stress isn’t helpful, it’s important to understand the role of stress in oral health so we can combat problems effectively. Today, the Parkcrest Dental Group explains the negative impact stress can have on your oral and dental health.
Bruxism
When some people experience stress, they help to relieve that feeling by clenching and grinding their teeth — this is referred to as bruxism. This often occurs without you even realizing it, sometimes even when you are asleep. There are many ways that bruxism can harm your oral health, including tooth enamel damage and jaw disorders like TMJ and TMD. If you notice yourself grinding your teeth throughout the day or you wake up with a sore jaw — you may be experiencing stress-related bruxism.
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Gum Disease
Heightened times of stress can actually weaken your body’s natural immune system. One of the ways this will affect you is by weakening your body’s ability to fight off gum disease. If you notice your gums bleeding after you brush and floss your teeth, you may be suffering from gum disease, and you should visit a dental professional as soon as possible.
Canker or Cold Sores
While the cause of cold sores is the herpes simplex virus or HSV-1, stress is a significant factor in the eruption of cold sores on your mouth and lips. Canker sores, on the other hand, are a small painful lesion on the soft tissue of the mouth or gums. Both of these conditions are aggravated by stress.
Related Post: 5 Habits that are Harming Your Teeth
Visit Parkcrest Dental Group
If you want to ensure your oral health is at its best, visit Parkcrest Dental Group today. Our friendly, experienced team will make your visit as comfortable as possible. We don’t want you to stress when you visit our office!
Call our team today at 417-887-1220 to schedule an appointment.
