Oral Health and Stress

O is for Oral Health – on Day 15 of the #AtoZChallenge - and Oh! I can’t believe we’re exactly half way through this – even though the date is April 17. I really didn’t have to think too hard about a topic for “O” because we’ve been busy with visits to the dentist for quite some time now – and the stress it has put us through was – well – ugh, enough said! Hence the focus on oral health and stress today.

Stress – I hardly have to emphasize - can have a big impact on our overall health and particularly on our oral health. Not surprising how fatigue and related stuff comes to mind when we think about stress. Fact is, stress affects every facet of our health. Here is a look at the effect of stress on oral health. Good oral health is critical to our wellness.

Oral health and stress

If you are over-stressed, you can get a headache, a tummy ache or that “i-don’t-know-why” kind of edgy feeling. As you experience this, stress is quietly working on your teeth and gums, and therefore, your overall well being. Stress and anxiety can be the cause for:

Mouth sores
Bruxism where you clench and grind your teeth
Poor oral hygiene
Gum disease. If you already suffer from it, it gets worse.
Unhealthy eating habits
Depression

Can you prevent this from happening?

Yes you can.

Let’s begin with mouth sores.

Mouth Sores

These include canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are those tiny whitish or greyish ulcers with a reddish border around them. These turn up inside the mouth in pairs or little clusters. The doctors have no clue what specifically causes them because there are many reasons why these appear. Some of these reasons are immune system related, bacteria, viruses, fatigue and allergies. Stress has been identified as a trigger for these too. The good news is canker sores are not contagious and will usually vanish in about a week. While they are in your mouth, you can minimize the agony by avoiding spicy or hot foods and acidic food like tomatoes and citrus fruits.

Cold sores resemble blisters and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are contagious. They usually appear around the lips or on them, under the nose and around the chin area. What triggers them? An emotional upset, a fever, sun burn or skin injury. These might heal in a week by themselves or with the help of over the counter medication and prescription meditation. It is best to consult your doc as soon as you see them start up.

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Teeth Grinding

Stress makes you grind your teeth or clench your jaws. This is also called “bruxism” and it is not pleasant. Some people have a tendency to do this subconsciously and if they are stressed out, it becomes worse. Teeth grinding can result in problems with the jaw joint (the TMJ or temporomandibular joint) where our skull meets our lower jaw. The problem can be a painful one. Dentists usually suggest wearing a night guard to avoid teeth grinding.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Those who suffer from acute stress often forget to maintain oral hygiene. They don’t remember to brush their teeth or floss. And we all know where that can lead, besides a smelly mouth that gradually alienates people from standing close to you.

Gum Disease

Inadequate oral hygiene can affect oral and overall health and result in gum disease and cavities. For those with gum disease, matters get worse. Stress will also result in the build up of dental plaque.

oral health and stress

Unhealthy eating habits

Another example of oral health and stress is from unhealthy eating habits. Stress causes people to snack on lots of sugary stuff and carbonated drinks. And before you know it, you’ve got tooth decay and other issues. And then, the teeth become sensitive and don’t let you eat well.

Depression

Stress causes depression. And when you are depressed, you face the risk of everything I listed above. Worse still, when you get treatment for gum disease, your outcome may not be good. Grrr!

Can you make the depression or stress disappear?

Yes, but not overnight. You’ve got to use effective strategies to deal with your stress. You have to develop healthy habits focused on your problems. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and energize yourself as it prompts you to look after yourself better and develop healthy eating habits. This in turn, strengthens the immune system and improves oral health.

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I also recommend guided meditation. Spare just fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the evening. It is a great investment in yourself, because when we’re mentally healthy, our body is healthier and everything is possible.

And remember that a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet must be a part of your lifestyle. Oral health and stress are closely related. Don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly and maintain good oral hygiene so that you can reduce the risk of gum disease. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily.