Stress is a normal part of life. When stress becomes overwhelming, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. Stress can also affect your oral health. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or threat. Individual responses to stress vary, but common symptoms include sleeping problems, chest pain, increased blood pressure, headache, sweating, and muscle tension.
Over time, stress can have a negative impact on your health. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a number of studies have shown that high-stress levels can weaken your immune system and increase the risk of gum disease.
The Link Between Stress and Oral Health
The link between stress and oral health may be due to the increased risk of clenching and grinding your teeth when you’re feeling stressed. This behavior is known as bruxism, and it can put stress on teeth and the surrounding tissues over time.
If you’re feeling stressed, the ADA recommends that you avoid chewing gum and eating hard foods that can further irritate your teeth and gums. You should also consider relaxation techniques like meditation or breathing exercises to lower your stress levels and improve your overall well-being.
When your body senses stress, it activates your “fight or flight” response system. This triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine into your bloodstream, which prepare your body for a possible physical threat. These hormones can cause a number of issues in your oral cavity, including increased tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. You may notice that your gums bleed more easily when you’re experiencing heightened stress levels. You may also have trouble sleeping due to teeth grinding caused by this heightened sensitivity. Untreated, these can lead to gum disease or tooth decay.
What Are Some Tips For Managing Stress?
When you’re feeling stressed, try to take a few minutes to decompress and relax by practicing deep breathing or meditation. This will help you lower your heart rate and blood pressure while reducing your stress levels in turn. You should also watch what you eat. Avoid sugary foods that are typically associated with causing cavities in your teeth. Additionally, avoid alcohol and don’t smoke tobacco, as this can further increase the sensitivity of your tooth enamel. Instead, drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help keep yourself healthy both mentally and physically. If you continue to experience severe tooth sensitivity or a toothache, contact your dentist as soon as possible. They can determine the root cause of your symptoms and provide the proper dental treatment to address it.
Learn more tips to improve your oral health by calling us at (832) 939-9999 or emailing us at info@sweetwaterdentalstudio.com. Visit us in Sweetwater Dental Studio at 4840 Sweetwater Blvd suite A, Sugar Land, TX 77479.