Coping with stress is challenging, particularly if you're under immense levels of stress and can't seem to find ways to relax at all. Stress's impact on your body is significant, but what exactly happens to us physically?
Let's examine the effects of stress on oral health, what you can expect to happen if your stress levels are high, and how to combat these indicators.
Can Stress Harm Your Oral Health?
Although many people might not think of oral health issues during stressful periods, they can affect your teeth and gums when you become overly stressed. Sometimes, we might not even be aware of the stress we're facing and the damage we're causing to our teeth.
Bruxism is a condition where people grind their teeth, often in their sleep, and is related to stress. Our bodies find habits or actions to manage stress, even unhelpful actions. Teeth grinding can happen in your sleep, meaning it's an uncontrollable action; this can wear down the sharpness of your teeth and cause cracks.
One of the signs of poor mental conditions is a dry mouth. It may not seem very clear to many why this happens, but trying to calm down by focusing on your breathing is often done through the mouth; although deep breaths are worthwhile, doing this very often can lead to a dry mouth. Hyperventilating, if your stress is severe, means you're uncontrollably mouth-breathing, potentially causing your mouth to become drier.
When overworked, anxious, or experiencing depressive symptoms, people can neglect critical everyday tasks, including basic hygiene. Excessive stress or other mental health conditions might lead to us not brushing as often as we should or not flossing, resulting in noticeably worse teeth and potential oral diseases.
What To Do With Stress-Related Oral Conditions
Stay hydrated so your mouth and throat don't become dry and irritable. Although it can seem challenging to remain aware of this, breathing through your nose will stave off a dry mouth. Speaking to a dental expert about bruxism is a wise idea because they can suggest you wear a mouthpiece that will stop grinding teeth so you won't damage them during the night.
Ultimately, however, you need to get your stress under control. Find out the root cause of your stress, whether it's work, family life, or other health reasons; there are always ways to manage this so you can relax and be more mindful. Take time daily for yourself, remember to exercise adequately to lower your stress, and avoid bad habits like excessive drinking or smoking.
Dental appointments every six to nine months is the best advice for any individual, stress or otherwise. In the long run, you could save yourself from more invasive procedures and tooth pain and keep your teeth looking fresh, even if your stress is challenging.