5 Ways Stress Impacts Your Oral Health

PLUS 5 ways you can stop the negative effects of stress on your oral and dental health

Stress is not just an emotional or psychological concern. Stress has a very serious impact on other aspects of our health, not the least of which is your oral and dental health. At Hygge Laser Dentistry, our dentists and dental professionals are committed to providing patients with a holistic approach to dental health and well-being, which includes comprehensive dentistry and restful sleep solutions.

One well-documented fact in dentistry is the concept of the "Mouth-Body" connection, which refers to the impact of oral and dental health on the rest of the body's health. The reverse is also true. The physical or psychological health, including the amount of stress you are experiencing, has a direct impact on the health of your smile.

However, for every way stress impacts your oral and dental health, a solution exists to help protect your teeth and keep you smiling with confidence. If you are experiencing dental, stress-related symptoms, please contact your dentist in Ballard at Hygge Laser Dentistry or discuss your concerns during your next dental appointment.

THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR ORAL AND DENTAL HEALTH

Negative Effect: Teeth Grinding

One of the primary ways stress impacts your oral and dental health is bruxism. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is when you clench and unclench your teeth repeatedly, usually in response to stress. Over time, bruxism can wear down tooth enamel, cause cracking and even lead to tooth loss. Additionally, bruxism can lead to migraines, myofacial pain and other symptoms that can disrupt normal, daily activities and lead to more expensive therapies and treatments when left undiagnosed and untreated.

Solution to Teeth Grinding

Custom mouth guards and other treatment options are available for individuals suffering from bruxism. If you experiencing jaw pain or headaches throughout the day, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth. You may also be suffering from TMJ disorder. Talk to your dentist in Ballard about your concerns and symptoms to determine the right approach to relieve your pain and address the root cause.

On a daily basis, try too destress before bed with a hot mug of herbal tea or a hot bath with relaxing bath salts. Create rhythms of rest to help you sleep stress-free.

Negative Effect: Decreased Immune System

Stress can have a negative effect on your immune system, making you more prone to dental disease.

Solution to Boost Your Immune System

Make sure you are eating enough nutrient dense foods, getting enough sleep, and resting when you need it so that your body can fight off disease, decay and infection.

Negative Effect: Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of stress. Why is dry mouth harmful? Unfortunately, dry mouth is not just uncomfortable but it actually reduces the amount of bacteria-fighting saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps protect your teeth and gums against tooth decay or gum disease. Dry mouth leaves your mouth more susceptible to attack from harmful bacteria.

Solution to Protect Against Dry Mouth

Drink more water! Staying hydrated is the easiest way to combat this stressful side effect of stress. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help with saliva production and combat dry mouth symptoms.

Poor Diet or Nutrition

Stress can cause an increase of emotional eating and craving more unhealthy foods. Those foods lack vital nutrients and can lead to a microbiome imbalance and a lowered immune system. However, the reverse is also true - stress can lead to insufficient intake of nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.

Solution to Poor Diet or Nutrition

Avoid creating food and drink habits in a mindset of stress. Replace junk food with nutrient-dense snacks, and be sure to consume enough nutrient-dense snacks and meals throughout the day. Feeding your body the right foods (and staying hydrated!) strengthens the hard and soft tissues in the mouth and also helps protect against inflammation and dental diseases. If you eat certain unhealthy foods or drinks to help you relax, try to find other ways to manage stress such as walking or meditation.

Missing Regular Dental Appointments

When life gets hectic and you get stressed, it’s easier to start missing your regular dental appointments, which can negatively and seriously impact your oral and dental health. These appointments provide necessary preventative care while also helping to identify problems early before issues become more serious and costly to treat.

Solution to Missing Routine Dental Visits

No matter what life throws at you, prioritize YOU. Your health and wellbeing matters, including the health of your smile. Studies have shown that a healthy, confident smile has a significant impact on other aspects of life. In fact, a recent study reports that 93% of individuals who are completely satisfied with their smile rate their self-confidence as excellent or very good.

Concerned about the ways stress impacts your oral and dental health? We're here for you. Enjoy relaxing dental care for a healthier smile and a healthier life at Hygge Laser Dentistry, modern dentistry in Ballard.

If it has been longer than 6 months since your last dental visit or if you experiencing any of the symptoms of stress mentioned above, schedule an appointment at your Ballard neighborhood dentist today. Our dentist, Dr. EmmaLeigh Gordon, and the entire team of dental professionals at Hygge Laser Dentistry are committed to providing modern dentistry in Ballard to keep your smile healthy and confident.

Difficulty sleeping leading to a stressful day? Hygge Laser Dentistry also offers snoring and sleep apnea treatments. Browse our sleep dentistry services or call our office for more information.