Stress gets the best of us all. Because without it, what’s real life? Stress can keep us in line, motivate us, and allow us to persevere through the rollercoaster of life. Aside from its few positive attributes, stress comes with a ton of negative qualities, many of which compromise our health and well-being. In case you’ve ever wondered, stress can indeed affect your oral health.
Check yo’ mouth, before stress wrecks yo’ mouth!
In all seriousness, the side effects of stress are unpleasant for your mouth. Here’s what can happen when stress wreaks havoc on your mouth.
Abscess or infection: Stress makes it harder for your immune system to fight infection. An oral abscess is caused by a bacterial infection and should be treated immediately by your dentist. Oral abscesses left untreated could develop into more serious and possibly life-threatening conditions.
Bad breath: When you’re stressed out, you can build up excess stomach acid, leading to acid reflux, which is when your stomach acids flow back up into your esophagus. Ow, that burns! In addition to smelly breath, acid that enters into the mouth can cause tooth erosion.
Bruxism: Commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching, bruxism typically occurs involuntarily and during sleep. Some cases of bruxism are mild, resulting in slightly flattened teeth; however, more serious cases can lead to fractured or loose teeth, chronic headaches, and severe jaw pain.
Dry mouth: Has your mouth ever felt like sandpaper when you’ve been overly stressed or nervous? Dry mouth is a common symptom of stress, and chronic dry mouth can lead to tooth decay. Saliva is the mouth’s natural cleanser, helping to neutralize acids and wash away food particles. A lack of saliva creates a breeding ground for cavities.
Gum Disease: According to Delta Dental, there have been studies linking emotional factors, such as stress and anxiety, to the development of periodontal (gum) disease. For those who already suffer from gum disease, stress exacerbates it. Perhaps this is a good example of a weakened immune struggling to fight infection.
Poor oral care: Forgetting to brush and floss, skipping dentist appointments, and eating an unhealthy diet might be blamed on stress. Allowing those things to happen too often can lead to some serious dental complications, some of which are irreversible.
Sores: Stress is thought to be a cause of canker sores - those pesky irritations that feel like you bit your tongue really hard. Canker sores are harmless and disappear on their own within a couple of days. Unfortunately, not all oral sores are so innocent. Cold sores (fever blisters) are often triggered by stress. They are caused by the herpes virus and are highly contagious.
TMJ disorders: Have you ever woken up with a sore jaw? Surely, you weren’t punched in the face during your sleep. Stress can cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding, which can lead to issues with your TMJ (temporomandibular joint). Symptoms of TMJ disorders include: jaw pain, facial pain, pain around ear, difficulty or painful chewing, headaches, clicking or popping sensation, toothache and joint locking.
If you find that stress is getting the best of your mouth, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.