Is Stress Affecting Your Oral Health?
Do you often feel overwhelmed? If you answered yes, we completely understand. Many children and teens dream of the day that they are old enough to enjoy the freedoms of adulthood. It isn’t until you reach that time that you quickly realize adulthood is not all it’s cracked up to be. With all that we have experienced over the past year, we are sure that many adults have dreamed about the carefree time of their youths. With all of the responsibilities of adulthood, it is not uncommon to feel stressed at times. While many are aware of the effects of stress on the body, we want to make you aware of the impact that stress has on your oral health as well. Continue reading to learn if you are experiencing stress-related trauma in your mouth.
Stress and Your Oral Health
There are many areas of your life that can cause stress. The biggest culprits are typically work, family life, money issues, and health concerns. The effects of stress on your body can be very severe, from frequent headaches to heart issues. Many of our patients are surprised to learn that stress can greatly affect your oral health as well. During your regular hygiene examinations, we are able to tell if stress is affecting your oral health. This past year, we have seen a large number of our patients who have experienced oral trauma caused by heightened stress levels. We wanted to share some warning signs to be mindful of:
Cracked or Worn Teeth
Stress can cause the body to become tense, increasing the likelihood of grinding your teeth. Prolonged teeth grinding can cause the enamel of the teeth to crack, chip, and become worn.
Discomfort in the Jaw
It is not uncommon for patients who experience high stress levels to notice symptoms related to TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition can cause discomfort in the jaw due to the frequency with which the muscle is used when opening and closing the mouth while eating and speaking.
Additional warning signs are:
- Frequent canker sores
- Dry mouth
- Change in teeth alignment
- Muscle spasms in the jaw
- Fillings that have fallen out
If you notice that you are experiencing any issues with your mouth, please contact our office located in Canandaigua, NY as soon as possible. Dental issues that remain untreated can progress into something serious over time and lead to extreme discomfort and costly repairs. We hope that you are staying healthy and safe and look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.
