How Stress Impacts Your Smile: The Connection Between Anxiety and Oral Health
Experiencing small amounts of stress is normal, but it’s advisable to take action if your stress levels become overly elevated or chronic. Research shows that long-term stress increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke, as well as a variety of mental health conditions.
And while it’s often overlooked, stress can also impact your smile. It can increase the risk of developing conditions such as bruxism and gum disease, and cause unhealthy oral hygiene habits.
Understanding how stress can affect your smile is the first step towards reducing its impact. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the oral health conditions that stress can cause, as well as outline some handy strategies for keeping it at bay.
How Stress Impacts Your Oral Health
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is often linked to stress. People with high stress levels often clench and grind their teeth unknowingly, sometimes during the day, but more often at night. Over time, teeth can lose their enamel, become chipped or fractured, or experience heightened sensitivity.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious oral health condition. When under stress, your body’s immune system becomes weakened. That makes it more difficult to fight infections, including the bacteria that’s affecting your gums. Stress also decreases the amount of saliva the body produces, creating a dry environment in which bacteria can thrive.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Stress can also affect your oral health in indirect ways. Feeling stressed can impact your mood, causing you to act differently. You may be less motivated to practice routine oral health habits such as brushing and flossing.
Poor Habits
People under stress often look for quick stress-relievers, which can include drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. Both of these can negatively impact oral well-being, especially smoking, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
How to Limit Anxiety’s Impact On Your Smile
High stress and anxiety levels can contribute to poor oral hygiene, but there are ways to keep things in check.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is a proven strategy for managing symptoms of stress and anxiety, helping to lower your body’s cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, release endorphins (the ‘feel good’ chemical), and keep your mind from thinking about the cause of your stress.
Invest in a Mouthguard for Teeth Grinding
Mouthguards for bruxism offer an affordable, effective way to protect your teeth while you sleep. They provide a physical barrier, reducing the amount of force placed on your teeth.
Regular Brushing and Cleanings
Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and receiving regular professional cleanings can help prevent the buildup of bacteria, reducing your risk of developing gum disease.
Make an Appointment with White Oak Dental Today
White Oak Dental is dentist Ooltewah, TN residents rely on. As the leading family dental clinic, we offer a wide range of services to keep you and your family’s oral health in tip-top condition. To make an appointment or learn more about our services, contact our team or give us a call at (423) 238-5744.