How Stress May Affect Your Oral Health

Stress is an inevitable part of life. While a little stress can be good, too much can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Often, stress will cause us to neglect our oral health.

It’s hard to avoid stress, but how you react to it can affect your oral and overall health. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections in the mouth and elsewhere in your body. It can also increase your risk for gum disease and even turn your teeth yellow or brown due to increased levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone released by the body when the sympathetic nervous system is activated. This reaction can be triggered by anxiety, frustration, anger, and other emotions. However, these hormones can also increase inflammation and slow healing in the mouth. This can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, when you’re stressed and eat sugary or starchy foods, you’re at an increased risk for cavities.

Stress Affecting You

When you become stressed, your body produces hormones that increase your blood pressure and your heart rate and send blood away from your brain and to your muscles. This forces you to breathe faster, which can cause a dry mouth. A dry mouth is uncomfortable, and it increases your risk of developing cavities. In addition, an increased heart rate causes you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, which can lead to tooth damage. It can even wear down the surface of your teeth, increasing your risk for tooth decay. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to talk to your dentist about ways to decrease your stress levels.

If poor oral health is causing you to feel stressed, then your best option may be to visit a dentist who can help you improve your oral care habits rather than trying to eliminate your stress altogether. Poor oral hygiene can lead to more stress in the future, so it’s best to work with your dentist to determine the best ways for you to decrease your stress levels while still practicing proper oral care.

Ways to Relax

When you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to take time to focus on taking a break from whatever’s causing you to feel stressed. This can include going for a jog, listening to music, enjoying a cup of herbal tea, reading a book, playing a musical instrument, or anything else that helps you relax. If your feelings of stress are interfering with your life, you may want to consider speaking to a counselor who can help you find ways to manage your stress.

Call us at (773) 880 5080 to book an appointment with us. You can also visit Stone Dental Group-SE Chicago Dentistry at 2845 N Sheridan Rd #914, Chicago, IL 60657. We will assist you further.