Does Stress Really Affect Your Mouth And Teeth?

Posted by holotrop029 on Apr 9, 2018 in Featured | 1 comment

Stress is one of the most common psychological conditions, so common to the extent that it is now believed the apparent lack of it is simply another form of the condition. The American-Institute of Stress now claims there are 44% of Americans with higher stress levels than what they were about 5 years ago.

Stress has far-reaching implications if not addressed with the urgency it deserves. One of these effects is in relation to our teeth and mouth. In this post, we shall look at how stress affects your mouth and teeth.

How Stress Affects Our Teeth

Bruxism –This is indeed one of the most common ways through which stress affects our teeth. Bruxism simply refers to the act of clenching or grinding our teeth and the fact that it normally happens while we are asleep makes it even more dangerous to our teeth. It is evidenced by flatter or more sensitive teeth and jaw.

Gum Disease – Stress has a direct influence on the development of gum disease. Gum disease is characterized by various symptoms based on the stages of its development. Basically, the two stages of the condition are the milder form [known as gingivitis] and the more severe form [known as periodontitis]. The general symptoms of gum disease manifest in receding gums that create spots which offer breeding grounds for bacterial infections.

Temporomandibular Disorders and Temporomandibular Joint – Temporomandibular disorders encompass various disorders that attack the joints and the muscles in our neck and jaws. On the other hand, Temporomandibular Joint specifically targets the joints which connect our lower jaw to our skull. These two disorders are characterized by sore jaw muscles, clicking and popping in the jaws as well as tenderness in the jaws.

Dry Mouth– Dry mouth is caused by the inability of the salivary glands to secrete enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Aside from causing difficulty in chewing and swallowing, it is also known to lead to cavities. Drinking water could be a temporary reprieve as you wait to address the underlying cause [stress in this case].

Canker Sores – Canker sores are basically oral sores or mouth ulcers, and a common cause of stress. They directly result from the seamless and vigorous cleaning of the teeth, chewing on the cheeks and the tongue and stress. While canker sores caused by chewing on the mouth are easily treatable using common home remedies such as coconut oil, those caused by stress may not be so easy to get rid of, unless the cause of the stress is effectively addressed.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned are just some of the ways on how stress affects your mouth and teeth. The good news is most of these conditions are manageable but the bad news is; you may have to act fast before they escalate into severe health conditions. There are Southern Smiles dental treatment in Miranda, NSW that will introduce you just like splint for teeth grinding.