Stress Affects Your Oral Health
Did you know April is National Stress Awareness Month? Underlying stress can cause health conditions that you may not realize. You may be aware of the physical or emotional side effects of stress, however, did you know that stress affects your oral health as well?
While it’s important to determine the cause of your stress, it’s also important to take steps to reduce your stress and recognize the warning signs. Below are 5 ways stress affects your oral health.
Teeth Grinding
While this normally occurs at night, it can also happen during the day. Stress is a major cause of teeth grinding which can also lead to other side effects. While reducing your stress is a great way to prevent further grinding, talk to your dentist about a tooth guard to help prevent further damage.
Cold Sores
There is more than one way a cold sore can form, and stress is one of them. While they are annoying, you can reduce cold sores by reducing your stress.
TMJ
Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are what your lower jaw uses to move. When stressed, these joints can swell and become stiff causing pain. Stress is a major cause of TMJ issues in most patients. If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms, Bubon Orthodontics offers expert TMJ treatment in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Nail Biting
While it may be obvious that nail biting is caused by stress, do you know how it affects your oral health? The repetitive movement of biting the nail can cause your teeth to move while also damaging them. Protect the investment you put into your smile by finding new ways to cope with stress.
Gum Disease
When you’re stressed it’s harder for your body to fight off infections. Gum disease can occur when you grind your teeth, clench your jaw, or smoke cigarettes. This can lead to an infection in your gums with symptoms of tooth loss, bad breath, and bleeding gums.
Learning how to manage stress can be difficult but can lead to overall healthier life. To do so, we’ve listed a few ways to reduce your stress. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, talk with someone you trust, exercise, and learn to say no!