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General Dentistry

How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

By September 27, 2016No Comments

How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

Stress is one of the many factors that can potentially impact your oral health. In general, it is best to stay well-informed about health risks and how you can mitigate them, so here are some of the ways in which stress oral health may affect your life. 

Grinding Your Teeth

When you are feeling worried or overwhelmed, you might become much more likely to grind your teeth. You may not even know this is happening, as it often occurs during the night while you are sleeping. Over time, this grinding, which is called bruxism, may cause tooth damage and jaw pain. These are some of the symptoms that might indicate you have been grinding your teeth at night. 

  • Jaw soreness
  • Headaches
  • Cracked teeth

If you wake up in the morning and find that your jaw feels sore and tired, you may be experiencing bruxism. Nighttime tooth grinding might also sometimes create ridges along the insides of your cheeks.

 A Weakened Immune System

Prolonged stress may weaken your overall immune system, which carries the potential to impact multiple areas of health. If you are suffering from stress oral health, you might become more prone to certain dental maladies such as these.

  • Dry mouth
  • Canker sores
  • Infections
  • Gum disease

For these reasons, it is especially important to keep up with oral hygiene and to regularly visit a dentist during times when you are experiencing high levels of stress and worry. A dentist can likely help you manage your oral health and resolve any problems before they become serious. 

Protecting Your Oral Health

If you are living in the grip of long-term stress, you may find that many areas of your health begin to suffer. Stress oral health effects may include tooth grinding as well as immune-related problems such as canker sores, infections and potentially even gum disease. To help protect from stress’s possible negative repercussions, try to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine. Also, visit a dentist often for checkups, cleanings and advice.

Contact The Center City Dentist Today For More Details

For more information and to develop a treatment plan for you, consult with us today! Call us now (215) 567-2666.