We all encounter stress in our lives, and some more than others. . In addition to taking a toll on emotional wellbeing, it can impact physical health by increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease, affect sleep and memory, cause headaches, and worsen depression.
It can impact the health of your smile!!
Stress is a contributing factor to the following conditions:
Bruxism — Stress can cause us to grind our teeth at night, leading to tooth damage. If you’re diagnosed with bruxism, a night guard can be prescribed to protect your jaw.
Canker Sores — No one quite knows what exactly causes canker sores, but they are sometimes brought on by stress. Although harmless, these small sores can be painful. Some students suffer from canker sores during examination.
Dry Mouth — When the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, it can experience chronic dryness. Not only does dry mouth result from conditions caused by stress, but it is also a common side effect of drugs used to treat depression.
Burning Mouth Syndrome — Psychological problems are just one of the many factors known to cause burning mouth, which is identified by a burning sensation on the tongue, lips, gums or palate.
Lichen Planus — Lichen planus of the mouth is characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity. Some experts believe lichen planus is a reaction to viral infections caused by stress.
TMJ/TMD — Stress contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders in many fashions. Trauma and tooth grinding are common causes of TMD, while emotional factors such as anxiety and depression can also trigger symptoms of TMJ.
Gum Disease — Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems, increasing our susceptibility to infections such as periodontal disease.
Other Risk Factors
- Patients who are under stress tend to neglect their oral hygiene routines – when you have so much going on, it’s hard to remember to brush and floss.
- Poor diet is also a result of stress — sugary and carbohydrate-laden foods that promote tooth decay might be consumed on a more frequent basis when we are busy or depressed.
Painful dental problems can also increase our levels of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, our ability to tolerate pain is compromised as our bodies struggle to adapt to stressful situations. As a result, tooth pain can become more extreme during times of stress.
Time to De-stress!
If you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget about your dental health.
- Take the time to focus on your oral hygiene regimen
- Don’t use smoking or alcohol to relieve stress. These habits are highly addictive, and they have damaging effects on your oral cavity.
- eating well
- exercising
- Getting plenty of sleep.
- Seek professional help and dental clinic in Delhi NCR. See a dentist – he or she can treat dental problems caused by anxiety and offer suggestions for better dental care.
