Stress is a serious issue in the United States. As Charles W. Mayo, M.D. has stated, “Worry and stress affect the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affect heart action.” Stress affects your oral health, too.
How Serious is Stress?
The latest results of the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll reveal a continuing increase in Americans’ anxiety. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than the previous year. While stress is a natural thing that everyone faces, chronic stress can create serious mental and physical problems. According to the American Institute of Stress, 33% of people feel extreme stress, and 77% of people feel that stress has a negative impact on their physical health.
The Impacts of Stress on Your Body
Chronic stress, left untreated and unmanaged, can impact a person physically, mentally, and emotionally, including these 9 impacts:
- Elevated blood pressure can increase a person’s risk of heart disease.
- A weakened immune system, so the body’s ability to fight off infections is reduced.
- Chronic inflammation has been linked to the conditions of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cancer.
- Headaches.
- Depression and mood changes.
- Weight gain.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Decreased sex drive.
- Stress affects your oral health, too.
How Stress Affects Your Oral Health
Stress affects your oral health in these ways:
- Jaw issues. This includes disorders of the jaw joint or chewing muscles, causing pain in the face and around the ears.
- Teeth clenching and grinding. Clenching and grinding can wear down or chip teeth, cause jaw pain, and strain facial muscles.
- Canker sores. This is triggered by stress and by a vitamin B deficiency or any mouth injury or irritation.
- Oral infections or sores. These can show up as white lines, red spots, or ulcers.
- Dry mouth. Stress can disrupt normal saliva production, leading to a dry mouth, which can increase the incidence of tooth decay.
- Poor oral hygiene. When a person is stressed, he/she may be prone to snacking, drinking more sugary drinks, or skipping brushing or flossing, thus contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. Persons experiencing stress may use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, which increase their risk for oral disease.
How to Address Problems When Stress Affects Your Oral Health
First, visit your dental professional regularly to monitor any signs of oral issues caused by stress. Second, when there are problems, your dentist can treat those problems, including tooth decay, and they can provide a custom-fitted night guard to prevent tooth damage from clenching and grinding. Third, your dentist can recommend over-the-counter medications or prescribe medicines to treat mouth sores and reduce mouth pain. Fourth, use good oral hygiene practices including regular brushing and flossing. Use mouthwash to help keep your gums and teeth clean. Fifth, eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.
Seek Professional Dental Care
Contact Old Mt. Pleasant Dentistry, located right off Ben Sawyer Blvd in Mt. Pleasant. S.C., or request an appointment through our online portal for dental care you can trust. We use treatment plans that are practical using the most advanced technology. We offer routine dental care and procedures, including extractions and root canals. To us, the patient is the most important person in the office.