The American Psychological Association has reported that most Americans are living with stress levels that are higher than what’s considered healthy. It’s pretty well known that high levels of stress can have negative impacts on your overall health, but it’s less well known that serious health problems can develop in your mouth, teeth, and gums if your stress level is too high. In this post, we will look at three common oral problems that come from being stressed out.
1. Sores in the mouth
The exact cause of canker sores is yet to be discovered, but there does seem to be a direct correlation between stress and the mouth breaking out with sores. Canker sores can also cause a immune response which causes swelling of neck glands that cause jaw and tooth pain.
2. Grinding teeth
Clenching and grinding of teeth is a very common side effect of stress. Most people do not even realize they’re doing it – especially at night. If the grinding becomes especially bad during times of stress, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard for when you sleep.
3. Poor eating and cleaning habits
Many people use food to cope when stressed, and for most people it’s an extremely sweet dessert or soda filled with sugar they crave. This can cause tooth decay and overall feelings of lethargy. Stress also preoccupies the mind and may result in people taking less time to brush and floss their teeth.
At Halonen Family Dentistry in Battle Creek, we know oral health is an important part of your overall health. Unfortunately, oral hygiene as a part of overall wellness is sometimes overlooked. If you have been looking for a trusted family dentist in Battle Creek, do not hesitate to contact us today!
