When it comes to habits that compromise people’s oral health, most will associate smoking, sweet addiction, or poor dental hygiene as the primary culprits behind an unhealthy smile. But a person’s mental state can also affect your smile, but it goes way deeper than turning lips into frowns. 

Stress can cause one to reach a mental burnout, but beyond filling the mind with anxious-driven thoughts, feeling pent-up can also have serious repercussions on your teeth and gums. If you’re physically and mentally tolled, it can manifest in ways that can compromise your oral health, such as the following:

Teeth Grinding

One of the biggest triggers of teeth grinding is stress, particularly since anxiety is known to cause your teeth to grind back and forth at night. Misaligned teeth and other related conditions like sleep apnea can aggravate the problem, paving the way for further sleep disorders, headaches, jaw pain, tooth wear, TMJ disorder, and even a significant change in your appearance.

Canker Sores 

Determining the origins of canker sores is still a mystery in the dental world, but one thing is for sure: the way the body processes high stress leads to canker sores. Some possible reasons behind the condition include food sensitivities, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal shifts, emotional stress, or inadequate teeth brushing.

Gum Disease 

When the body is under stress, its immune cells struggle to fight bacteria, which means the germs living in your mouth can use this window of opportunity to wreak further havoc. When the immune system is compromised and can no longer contain mouth bacteria, it can spread and lead to periodontal disease, making stressed-out people vulnerable to gum diseases.

TMJ Disorders

Teeth grinding can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), though stress can also be a primary factor behind this bad habit. Negative emotions can cause a person to clench or grind their teeth in frustration, putting undue stress on their jaw and resulting in TMJ.

Poor Oral Hygiene

People wrestling with stress often lack the energy to care for their personal hygiene, especially busy-bodies who have the habit of crashing straight to bed without brushing their pearls. It’s understandable how stress can make one too tired to maintain a morning and night routine, but neglecting your oral hygiene can unlock a myriad of dental problems.

Stress can also trigger sugar cravings, so eating a lot of sweets without giving your pearly whites the proper aftercare can facilitate detrimental effects on your overall oral health. 

The Bottom Line: Long-Term Stress Hurts Your Oral Health 

Stress and your smile are more linked than meets the eye, that’s why it’s important to care for your mental health since its impact extends beyond your mood. 

Are You Looking for the Best and Affordable Dentists in Edmonton to Improve Your Smile?

At Edmonton Smiles, we provide superior dental services that include emergency dental treatments, dental whitening, preventative services, and more. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today!

 

Posted in Dental News