When we think of stress, we often associate it with symptoms like anxiety, tension, racing thoughts, poor sleep and high blood pressure among others. But did you know that your smile can also show signs of stress?
It’s no secret that the last year and a half has been stressful for everyone around the globe. As your partner in oral health, we want to help you recogni[z]e the impact stress can have on your mouth, while offering solutions to overcome it and beam brightly.
- Stress may increase your risk of developing gum disease. That’s because during times of stress, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone. When high levels of cortisol are produced, your body focuses more on survival than anything else. This lowers your ability to fight infections in your mouth, gums and elsewhere.
- Have you noticed that during times of stress, you are more prone to headaches? It may be a result of jaw clenching or teeth grinding, known as bruxism. Bruxism usually occurs when we’re sleeping. Grinding our teeth and keeping our jaws tightly clenched can cause morning headaches as well as worn down teeth.
- For some of us, stress makes us reach for comfort foods that we normally wouldn’t. Things like ice cream, treats or sweet drinks may make us feel better for a moment, but too many can have a lasting negative impact on oral health. They can lead to dull teeth, cavities and plaque buildup.
If you feel like your smile is showing signs of stress, we’re here for you. Contact our team today to learn more about our services and how we can help. We look forward to seeing you in the practice soon.
