The Connection Between Chronic Stress & Oral Health

Small doses of stress can motivate you to succeed, boost your brainpower, and even strengthen your immune system. But, when that stress becomes chronic, the consistent feeling of being overwhelmed can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, and heart disease. Chronic stress can also do a lot of damage to your teeth and gums. Read on to learn more about how chronic stress impacts your oral health as well as what you can do to prevent these issues.

How Chronic Stress Can Negatively Impact Your Oral Health

Left untreated, chronic stress can take a major toll on your oral health. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced and released by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It helps regulate your body’s stress response and can suppress several host response mechanisms when levels are elevated. This may impair the function of one’s immune system, which can increase the risk of gum disease.

Additionally, according to a study by the Journal of Periodontology, 56% of study participants who have chronic stress also neglected to brush and floss their teeth the recommended amount. They were also much more likely to smoke and participate in other bad dental habits. Patients with chronic stress are also at a higher risk of cold sores, tooth decay, and teeth grinding.

6 Ways to Prevent Oral Health Issues from Chronic Stress

Now that you know how chronic stress can impact your oral health, what can you do to keep these issues at bay? A few ways that you can lessen your risk include:

• Practice relaxation techniques – Meditating and deep breathing are two techniques that can help you get chronic stress under control.
• Eat a tooth-healthy diet – Foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy, lean meat, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables provide your smile with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to remain healthy.
• Get enough sleep – Adequate sleep helps keep your immune system strong, so be sure to get seven to nine hours each night.
• Exercise regularly – This can improve your sleep quality, therefore lessening your stress levels.
• Brush and floss – Brush your teeth twice daily and floss every night to lessen your risk of oral health issues like cavities and gum disease.
• Visit your dentist – Bi-annual dental visits for checkups and cleanings allow your dentist to identify and treat oral health issues early on. If chronic stress has you grinding your teeth, they can also provide you with a custom mouthguard to protect your smile.

Managing chronic stress can be difficult. With the above tips, you can lessen your risk of dental damage to maintain a healthy body and a beautiful smile for years to come!

About the Practice

Are you a resident of the West Hartford area who is suffering from stress? Dr. Ukti Phadnis, Dr. Ajay Dhingra, Dr. Vance Harper, and the rest of the West Hartford Dental Group team can help. They perform thorough dental checkups and cleanings to remove buildups of plaque and bacteria to lessen your risk of oral health issues. They also offer gum disease therapy to get your smile back on track and nightguards to prevent dental damage from tooth grinding. If you’re interested in making an appointment or want more information on their services, call (860) 236-4249 or visit their website.