If you have experienced extreme stress for a prolonged period, the negative impacts can be seen in many areas of your body, including oral health. Even though everyone handles stress differently, when we are under stress, our immune system is compromised, which leads the brain to seek out unhealthy habits like overeating, smoking, or drinking alcohol to feel better. These habits can take a toll on your oral health. In this article, we will discuss how mouth problems are caused by stress.
What kind of mouth problems are observed in stress?
Emotional stress and anxiety can hamper overall oral health and manifest into certain mouth conditions like:
Dry Mouth: Saliva is the best companion in our mouth since it contains antibacterial agents, keeps our teeth moist, and flushes food particles from them. Stress, however, has an adverse effect on your nervous system, which stops your salivary glands from producing enough saliva for your mouth. This condition is frequently misinterpreted as an indication of dehydration. It is important to consult your symptoms with a dentist to get an accurate diagnosis.
Gum Disease: One of the most detrimental effects of stress is a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system raises the risk of gum disease and makes it more difficult for the body to fight infections. An increased risk of periodontal disease results from the development of inflammatory proteins in the gums due to a high amount of the stress hormone cortisol.
Mouth ulcers are shallow red, yellow, or white lesions that are also referred to as canker sores or aphthous ulcers that form on the mucous membranes inside the mouth, including the inner cheeks, lips, tongue, and gums. These ulcers can be painful and may interfere with eating, drinking, and speaking. These mouth ulcers can develop in clusters and sometimes join together.
How does stress manifest itself in the muscles and bones associated with the oral cavity?
Not just the soft tissues, stress can go deep down into muscles and bones, producing restricted movement of mouth. Few important conditions to note are:
Clenched Jaws: Muscle tension is a reflex reaction of the body against stress to guard it against injury and pain. Tight jaws might cause pain if you have ongoing stress since your jaw muscles will always be tense.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: Stress causes this condition. Symptoms of this dental condition include pain in your jaws, locked jaws, difficulty opening your mouth, clicking or popping sounds from the temporomandibular joint, difficulty chewing, and pain around your ears.
Tightening of jaws can lead to teeth grinding, or bruxism, which is the habit of grinding your teeth when you’re anxious and stressed. With a preoccupied mind during stressful times, some people don’t even notice that they’re grinding their teeth, even while sleeping. Your jaws may strain, and tooth enamel may erode due to the continuous friction between your upper and lower jaws associated with symptoms like chipped or loose teeth, increased tooth sensitivity, tight jaws, teeth-grinding noises while sleeping, and pain in the ear.
Which oral habits can help to improve oral health?
Dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety fixates our attention on our problems. Thus, it becomes easier to skip self-care. Mood-boosting foods that are high in sugar, carbs, and caffeine become our instant refuge to feel better.
We may get the ‘instant’ comfort of skipping the healthy routine, but the negative consequences can last due to the damage done to our health. A constant poor diet plus poor dental hygiene is the recipe for oral health issues down the line, like dental caries, plaque buildup, and even tooth loss. Avoid eating very hot foods and acidic foods like tomatoes, salty or spicy dishes.
A good source of protein should be part of your meals and snacks. Eat small, frequent meals. It will be easier to swallow food if you drink liquids with your meals. Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated drinks. Refrain from having alcohol. Regular dental check-ups are an important part of managing your oral health. As, early detection of your body responses during distress can still save your teeth, gums, and jaws.
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