Seventy-seven percent of people experience physical symptoms of stress. From financial pressures to relationship concerns, this stress invades our life and can have a major consequence on our bright, pearly whites.
Chronic anxiety can lead to bad habits that destroy, damage, and rot our teeth.
From grinding to poor dental hygiene, find out how your stress could be affecting your smile:
Daily Grinding Leads to Bruxism
Grinding teeth and clenching the jaws are both universal signs of stress, and the technical term for these habits is called bruxism. According to the American Sleep Association, bruxism affects 10 percent of adults and 15 percent of children. [1]
The bad habit can be linked to a number of different factors, but stress is one of the worst culprits.
Also, since grinding generally occurs during sleep, it can be hard to know you’re doing it. However, some signs include flat tips, worn tooth enamel, increased sensitivity, indentation on the tongue, and an earache.
To alleviate the damage done by bruxism, you can opt for dental implants. You can also prevent further grinding by wearing a night guard while you sleep, keeping your teeth slightly apart during the day, and practicing stress-relief techniques.
Stress Leads to Poor Dental Hygiene
Anxiety can alter our mood and change the way that we live. Therefore, some people that experience extreme stress may skip brushing, flossing, and rinsing. This can then lead to cavities, rotten teeth, and gum disease.
According to a study published in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal, there is a clear link between negative and stressful emotions and the development of gum disease. The more severe the stress, the worse the spread of the disease. [2]
Also, when you’re stressed, you tend to pick up unhealthy eating habits. Many people snack on chips, chocolate, ice cream, and cookies which can ultimately increase the risk of cavities.
It is important that you get into a regular dental hygiene routine even when you’re experiencing stress. Brush your teeth and floss at the same time every day. This routine can help remind you about your dental duties and also work to alleviate stress.
Further Oral Health Issues
If you clench or grind your teeth constantly, it can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This involves the joints in the commons and leads to a persistent and sometimes painful popping when you use your jaw.
If left untreated, TMD can have a serious impact on your oral health.
Stress can also lead to canker sores as many people experiencing anxiety tend to bite the inside of their cheek.
To alleviate any physical symptoms of stress it is important to identify the issues and seek advice from a dentist. You should also attempt to tackle the source of stress in your life so that you can be happier and healthier.
Stress affects us all, but it manifests in many different ways. Be sure to monitor your oral health and make sure that anxiety doesn’t grind your gears.
FOOTNOTES
[1] American Sleep Association. Bruxism – Teeth Grinding Symptoms, Treatment & Causes. Retrieved from https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-disorders/more-sleep-disorders/bruxism/ (December, 2018).
[2] Goyal, S. (2013). Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!! Retrieved from http://www.industrialpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0972-6748;year=2013;volume=22;issue=1;spage=4;epage=11;aulast=Goyal;type=0 (December, 2018).
