Stress is known to cause severe and complicated mental health issues if it is not attended to early. What most people don't realize is that stress can have serious effects on their oral health too. Some of the impacts of stress on your oral health may include teeth grinding, gum disease, canker sores, and TMJ disorders.
Stress and Teeth Grinding
When people are stressed, they are more likely to slide their teeth back and forth over each other or clench them, especially at night. Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism, is a serious condition you shouldn't ignore. If not treated, this condition can lead to additional chronic conditions.
Stress and Gum Disease
Studies show that when your body is experiencing stress, its ability to produce protective immune cells against pathogens is compromised. A weakened immune response means that bacteria will easily thrive, increasing inflammation. When bacteria that cause periodontal disease are allowed to thrive, they can make a person more prone to gum infection.
Stress and Canker Sores
Canker sores are small forms of ulcers that appear in your mouth and make talking or eating extremely uncomfortable. Research shows that canker sores are more likely to appear when a person is highly stressed or anxious. Even though this condition rarely escalates to a serious medical condition, it is important to treat it as soon as possible.
Stress and TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a condition that causes pain in the muscles that control jaw movement. It also causes pain in the jaw joints. When you are stressed, overusing jaw muscles causes you to grind your teeth, leading to potential chronic diseases.
Stress and Oral Hygiene Neglect
When people are stressed, they tend to overlook basic self-care practices. Vital habits like sleep are compromised, meaning there is no energy or desire to complete simple tasks like brushing and flossing your teeth. Visit our offices for an in-depth conversation on how stress can affect your health and the best measures you can take to limit its effects.
Location
1739 NE 122nd Ave Portland, OR 97230-1914
Hours
Mondays & Tuesdays: 7 AM - 3 PM Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8 AM - 5 PM Fridays: Closed
Hunter Dental Care, 1739 NE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230-1914 + (503) 256-3737 + hunterdentalcare.com + 2/10/2025 + Related Terms: dentist Portland OR +