Are you feeling stressed?
If you’re feeling it, you’re in good company. 75% of adults say they experienced health issues recently due to stress, according to the American Psychological Association
And the forecast for stress calls for rising levels. 43% of U.S. adults say they feel more anxious now than they did the previous year, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
Stress is an unfortunate part of life, but stress levels are at all-time highs. With the mounting stress of the world, the economy, and the day-to-day stress of our multi-tasking lives, it’s no wonder.
Stress may be a fact of life, but living with on-going stress impacts our mental health and it causes physical issues, as our bodies absorb and deal with the increased tension in different ways. We may suddenly begin experiencing back aches, stomach issues, or even issues with our oral health.
Rising stress can definitely begin to damage the health of your teeth and gums.
5 Ways Stress Harms Your Oral Health
- Teeth Grinding
This is a symptom of stress that’s on the rise, but most of us aren’t even aware that we do it because a lot of teeth grinding happens when we sleep. Chronic teeth grinding will damage your teeth, your sleep, your health, and your wallet. Not sure if you grind your teeth? Look for these 6 Signs! - Dry Mouth
On-going stress and anxiousness will reduce your saliva flow – the unsung hero of your oral health! Your saliva is crucial for removing food particles from your teeth, remineralizes tooth enamel, and it also helps fight off cavity causing bacteria. When your saliva “dries up” it allows plaque to build up and it increases your risk for dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. - Infections + Gum Disease
More and more studies show that increased stress harms your immune system. Rising stress can weaken your body’s ability to fight off various infections and diseases. This can also promote the progression of advanced gum disease, which is bad for your teeth, and your overall health. Why? The oral bacteria that causes gum disease can reach organs throughout your body, including the brain or the heart. Here are some of the serious health issues linked to gum disease. - Neglecting Oral Hygiene
Neglecting your self-care is often a by-product associated with increased stress. As your stress increases, you may suddenly spend less time on your oral hygiene routine – brushing, flossing, teeth cleanings + dental visits. And you may also start craving “comfort” foods that are high in carbs, sugar, and caffeine – sweets, coffee, alcohol. As your routine oral hygiene takes a dive, you may experience more cavities, bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth loss. It’s important to try to keep up with your at-home oral hygiene (and routine dental visits!) even in times of stress. Who needs the additional stress of dealing with tooth aches or other oral health issues?! - Teeth Clenching
Tensing your muscles when you’re stressed is a coping mechanism that protects your body from injury and pain. Stress causes us to clench our teeth throughout the day. As your stress levels increase, you might subconsciously clench your teeth numerous times throughout the day, and when you sleep. This ongoing clenching of your jaw can cause serious jaw disorders such as TMJ. – you might no realize that you’re doing it, but the symptoms can include jaw pain, on-going headaches, tooth sensitivity, difficulty opening your mouth or chewing food. TMJ disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed jaw disorders that affects millions of people. Unfortunately, most of us don’t know we suffer from it, because we’ve never been properly diagnosed.
Let Us Reduce Your Oral Health Stress
While we can’t take the stress of the world off your shoulders, we can take the worry of your oral health off your plate. And you can rely on us to make sure that your dental visits with us are painless and as pleasant as possible.
If you’ve been feeling stressed lately, you’re not alone – we’re all in this together. When it comes to your teeth, we’ll be your team to restore them to their optimal health and to protect them during these stressful times.
Don’t let stress harm your beautiful smile. If you notice signs of teeth grinding, clenching or sensitivity please call us at (206) 524-1000 to schedule an exam and consultation, or request your appointment here.