Have you felt stressed out lately? Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of the human experience and healthy. However, if you are chronically stressed, it can take a toll on your mind and body, including your oral health. The good news is that there are always steps you can take to reduce stress levels in your day-to-day life. Read on to learn about how chronic stress and oral health are related and what you can do to give yourself a break.
How Does Stress Affect Your Oral Health?
Everyone gets stressed from time to time, but chronic stress can cause various issues for your dental health. Here are some of the most common problems that can arise.
- Gum Disease: When you feel anxious or depressed, your body produces more of a hormone called “cortisol.” This increases your risk of developing gum disease. Stress can also impair your immune system, contributing to infection in the mouth.
- Burning Mouth Syndrome: While uncommon, this painful condition causes a scalding feeling of the tongue, lips, and the roof of your mouth. Stress, anxiety, and depression are risk factors for burning mouth syndrome.
- Canker Sores: These are small, painful ulcers that appear on the inside of the mouth. They are more likely to appear when an individual is stressed.
- Cold Sores: These fluid-filled blisters are caused by the herpes virus. If you are infected with it, you are more likely to experience outbreaks when you are stressed.
How Can Stress Be Relieved?
Eliminating stress from your life is much easier said than done, but there are some steps you can take now to try to lessen it. Here are some effective methods.
- Exercise: When you put physical stress on your body, you can relieve mental stress. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t.
- Limit Caffeine Intake: Caffeine is a stimulant that is present in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate. It can help to get you on your feet in the morning, but it can also increase anxiety levels.
- Sugar-Free Gum: If you have the bad habit of chewing on your fingernails or other hard objects when you are stressed, this can damage your teeth over time. Try keeping some sugar-free gum on hard instead. It tastes good and helps to stimulate saliva flow in the mouth.
- Listen to Music: Try listening to calming music to reduce your stress. Slow paced instrumental music, classical music, and nature sounds are great!
- Meditation: Take some time for yourself. This may help to calm some of your nerves.
No one likes the feeling of being overwhelmed, especially when it affects their smile. By maintaining excellent oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and using the tips listed above, stress doesn’t have to dictate your oral health!
About the Practice
At Brite Smiles, Dr. Sivan Patel and Dr. Amir Danesh Sani work together to treat patients in the Des Plaines area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. If you have any concerns about your oral health, they would be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (847) 297-0808.
