Stressed Out? Here’s How Chronic Stress Can Harm Your Smile

Does life have you feeling constantly stressed out? Whether it’s work, school, or personal trouble causing you stress and anxiety, the daily pressure may be wreaking havoc on your smile. The connection between your teeth and stress may not be obvious, but the potential negative effects are very real. Keep reading below to learn more about how chronic stress can harm oral health in Rockledge and how to reduce your anxiety levels.   

What Is Chronic Stress?

Short, temporary feelings of stress are a regular part of daily life. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a persistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over an extended period of time. There are many potential signs and symptoms of chronic stress, such as:

• Insomnia
• Low energy
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Difficulty focusing on work
• Change in appetite
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Emotional withdrawal

How Chronic Stress Impacts Oral Health

Chronic stress, depression and anxiety can negatively impact your oral health in a variety of ways.

Gum Disease

Cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone that plays a key role in the body’s stress response. However, cortisol also increases gum inflammation and the progression of gum disease. Chronic stress can also weaken your body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to infections like gum disease.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

According to research published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), stress may interfere with oral hygiene. In the study, over half of participants said that stress led them to neglect twice-daily brushing and flossing.

Burning mouth syndrome

Individuals suffering from this painful condition typically feel like their tongue, gums, lips, inside of their cheeks and/or other areas of the mouth are burning. According to the Mayo Clinic, psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, or stress can cause burning mouth syndrome.

Canker sores

Doctors aren’t entirely sure what causes these small, painful ulcers inside the mouth. However, they are thought to appear more when a person is stressed or very tired.

Cold sores

Cold sores can break out in people with the herpes simplex virus when their immune system is under pressure from stress.

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, also known as bruxism, is often related to stress or anxiety. Although most people who grind their teeth don’t realize they are doing it, bruxism can chip teeth and put extra pressure on jaw muscles and joints.

Tips to Manage Your Stress

Follow these tips to reduce your stress and protect your smile:

• Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet
• Get enough sleep each night
• Exercise regularly
• Learn and practice yoga or mediation
• Avoid relying on drugs or alcohol to reduce stress
• Make time for your favorite hobbies
• Spend time with your loved ones

Life can sometimes feel crazy, and you will never be able to eliminate all stress. However, following the strategies above may be able to help reduce chronic stress and the harmful effects it can have on your oral health.  

About the Author

Dr. Sowmya Kumar leads the team at Premier Walk-In Dental in providing fast, dedicated oral care to the Rockledge community. A proud graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Dr. Kumar enjoys relieving patients’ discomfort and has treated all sorts of ailments over the years. To learn more about the connection between chronic stress and oral health in Rockledge, visit the Premier Walk-In Dental website or call 321-631-4334.