The Impact of Stress on Dental Health Whole Dental Wellness

Let's face it. The world is changing. Things are moving faster, and technology is changing quicker than we can keep up. Of course, we know the impact this stress can have on our physical and mental health. However, dental health often goes unnoticed. Here are some of those effects.

• Stress and Bruxism: When we get stressed, we clench our jaws without even noticing. Sometimes even grinding them in our sleep. Chronic stress can lead to the development of this subconscious habit, causing enamel erosion, tooth fractures, jaw pain, and headaches.
• Gum Disease and Stress: Stress can weaken your body's immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections, including gum disease.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): Stress-induced jaw clenching and teeth grinding can contribute to the development of temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition causes pain, stiffness, and clicking in the jaw joint, affecting oral functionality.
• Neglected Oral Hygiene: When we are stressed, we tend to put our needs on the back burner. That includes our oral hygiene. At times, we aren't flossing or brushing properly. We even put off our 6-month checkups. When we neglect our oral care, it creates an environment for dental issues like cavities, plaque buildup, and bad breath.
• Mouth Sores and Stress: Stress weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to oral infections, such as canker sores and cold sores.

While stress is pretty much unavoidable in our world, we know that keeping up with our dental health is crucial to keeping our overall health in line. We must work hard and make it a point to take care of ourselves, and that includes our oral hygiene. Our oral health reflects the rest of our bodies' overall health.