Did you know that mental and physical illness is really a consequence of how we live? It’s important to recognize that health and wellness can’t be understood in isolation. Surprisingly, the relationships, events, circumstances, and experiences you are exposed to over time determine your overall health. Your mind and body are in union, whether or not your physician acknowledges that. Now, since we understand that the body and mind are connected, it’s clear that stress and oral health are closely linked, as chronic stressors can significantly impact various physical parts of your body, including your oral health.
The wellness of your teeth and gums can decline based upon how you feel and what you believe about yourself in the world. Your oral wellness can also be affected by the ways that life does or does not satisfy your needs and the trauma you’ve experienced. However, there is hope! You can return to wholeness or heal based upon the choices you make. Today, we are going to explore how stress affects your oral health and examine solutions to offer you an action plan of hope!
Stress and Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Chronic stressors, or a combination of everything we described in the introduction, can lead to bruxism. This condition causes people to grind or clench their teeth while awake or asleep. It is often described as an unconscious behavior that can lead to symptoms including facial pain, locking of the jaw, headaches, cracked teeth, TMJ, and even cheek damage. So, you might be wondering how to solve the unfavorable bruxism habit. We have solutions for you!
To start, consider using a nightguard to protect your teeth—it’s an essential first step while you work on reducing stress in your life. Alongside this, incorporating relaxation practices like meditation, yoga, exercise, sound therapy, and breathing techniques into your weekly routine can greatly benefit both your oral health and overall well-being. The mind-body imbalance ensues when all you do is work, work, and work some more. Executing a concerted effort to mindfully incorporate calming techniques into your life is imperative. Cultivating lifestyle changes and embracing holistic medication are other options as well. Oh, and don’t forget to make regular dental appointments! As you can see, there is hope!
Stress-Related Gum Disease
Chronic stressors can weaken your immune system and make your gums more susceptible to inflammation and infection. However, a small, short lived amount of stress is needed in life. It actually helps us fulfill life dreams and succeed in a multitude of daily endeavors. Unfortunately, our social and economic culture generates chronic stressors. Environmental pollution, social isolation, climate catastrophe, fast food, negativity, politics, and much more, pervasively infiltrates our society. Overtime, if focused on too much, this can drive a person to feel frozen or numb. This eventually puts undue stress on the nervous system because instead of fighting or taking flight, the system chooses shock. There’s you, your social/emotional contexts, and then your health or illness arises. So, if you are exposed to chronic stress, you may experience more plaque build-up and gingivitis or periodontitis overtime. How does plaque build-up come from stress?
Remember, your nervous system can become affected under chronic stress. This can cause your salivary glands to produce much less saliva than normal. Why does saliva matter? Saliva is known for fighting bacteria, keeping your teeth nice and moist, and removing all of that sugar we consume. If you are lacking an adequate amount of saliva, your oral microbiome can become increasingly acidic. Acidity leads to tooth decay, gum disease, damaged tooth enamel, plaque build-up, and extra bacterial growth! This is why it is important to create a constructive list of solutions to keep up with your oral health like a mouthguard, relaxation techniques, and regular dental care!
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
As we discussed above, stress can lead to less saliva production which can cause a whole host of oral issues including dry mouth or xerostomia. If you think you may suffer from this, look for the following symptoms; cracked lips, sticky/dry feeling in the mouth, diminished taste, mouth sores, bad breath, and more! Amongst dry mouth, and the issues mentioned in section 2, a decrease in saliva can also cause cavities and difficulty swallowing. So, how can you help prevent these issues? Stay hydrated, chew sugar free gum, and try to minimize your caffeine and alcohol intake. It’s easy folks!
Canker Sores and Oral Infections
If you’ve never experienced a canker sore before, you’re bound to one day! Canker sores are also known as mouth ulcers. Are they painful? Yes! These white or yellow sores can be found on the inside of your lips or cheeks, at the base of your gums, or on your tongue! Canker sores can make speaking and eating challenging. Luckily, they heal within just a couple of days or up to a few weeks and they are not contagious! And, you are correct. Stress and anxiety can trigger or exacerbate the occurrence of them and other oral infections. There are a variety of creams, gels, mouthwashes, or over-the-counter treatments to choose from for relief! Maintaining a healthy diet and practicing good oral hygiene is an absolute must.
Neglecting Oral Hygiene Due to Stress
Stress can become a nuisance since it can impede daily routines and induce distraction. For example, maybe you can relate to crawling through the front door at the end of the day with fatigue and exhaustion. Undoubtedly, you may barely have enough energy reserves to prepare dinner and fall into bed. As a result, you are left with a lack of inspiration to exercise, meditate, and most likely, take care of your oral hygiene. This can become a vicious cycle that lasts for months. Remember, without proper oral hygiene upkeep, you could end up with cavities, gum disease, and plaque build-up. Proper oral hygiene includes brushing, flossing, and dental care on a regular basis. Set reminders on your phone if you need to! Create an oral care routine that is simple and stress-free. Simplicity is key!
Stress-Related Diet Choices
When we rush around sporadically, mindfulness is thrown away! We can all recall weeks when our lunch wasn’t packed and breakfast wasn’t eaten. Oftentimes, this leads to unhealthy snacking and hasty fast food runs on lunch break. If you don’t take the time to prepare food in advance at home, you are mainly at the mercy of gas stations and quick food markets that offer sugary, acidic, and fried foods. These types of foods are a nightmare for your teeth! How? Consuming too many sugary snacks and fast food items can lead to tooth decay, enamel erosion, and several other oral health issues.
Embracing Mindful Eating for Oral Health
So, what would some mindful eating practices actually look like? If you like apples, carrots, and celery you are in luck! Crispy fruits and vegetables assist in cleaning plaque from your teeth and even freshen your breath. Lean proteins like meat, fish, and poultry are great food options for your teeth too! And let’s not forget about yogurt, cheese, leafy greens, and water. There you have it!
Managing Stress and Oral Health: Your Path to a Healthier Smile
We’ve discovered today that there are a plethora of ways that stress can affect your oral microbiome. Stress can cause bruxism, gum disease, dry mouth, canker sores, and poor diet choices. However, you can be more mindful about your daily choices. There are a number of solutions we covered today!
Relaxation techniques and holistic medications can offer a number of benefits. A regular oral healthcare regimen implemented with phone reminders is a must and this includes dental check-ups. Staying hydrated, chewing sugar-free gum, and decreasing your caffeine and alcohol consumption is also advised. Lastly, prepare your lunches for work with crispy fruits and vegetables, yogurt and cheese, leafy greens, and water! Try your best to decline those morning donuts offered from your work bestie.
Most importantly, book an appointment with Shorewood Family Dental Care for a comprehensive oral health evaluation. Schedule a consultation for personalized advice on managing stress-related oral issues.
We can’t wait to find the perfect oral health solutions for your mouth!
