We’ve all been told to avoid stress at one point or another, but usually, it’s in reference to our bodily health. However, stress can actually cause oral health problems. There are several ways stress can affect our oral health, so there is another reason to keep it in check. Since oral health can be negatively affected by stress, why don’t you sit back, relax, and have a quick read about the detriments of stress to your oral health?
Stress Can Cause Bruxism
Bruxism is also known as grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. Stress has been shown to be a cause of bruxism in adults and even children. If you have ever caught yourself with a sore jaw after dealing with stressful events, it may be possible you are a sufferer of teeth grinding. Bruxism caused by stress can easily be solved with some stress management. This may mean getting one of those little squeeze aids on your desk or taking frequent walk away from your desk. The long-term effects of bruxism can be quite severe. It is normal to develop TMD from bruxism, which is a disorder of the jaw muscle that help open and close the mouth.
Sores in the Mouth
Stress can actually cause problems inside your mouth too. It has been reported that some people can experience mouth ulcers due to stress. This happens because stress can affect the levels of vitamins and mineral in our bodies making it harder to heal from minor wounds. If these minor wounds end up in your mouth, they could develop into a serious problem if not taken care of immediately.
Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
Since stress can cause bruxism, it has the possibility to cause gum disease and tooth decay. After long periods of applying pressure on your teeth, they can become weakened and break. If not taken care of, these broken teeth become more susceptible to tooth decay and eventually gum disease. They become more prone to decay because the bacteria in your mouth will have an easier time remaining in your mouth after you brush because of the irregular surfaces of the chipped tooth. This is why it is important to take care of not only your teeth grinding habit right away but also any stress too. If you’re interested in other ways stress can affect your oral health, please call our office and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.
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