Have you ever wondered why you are constantly running out of
your teeth or your tongue feel hollow spaces while touching the chewing surfaces
of your posterior teeth. You may also notice discoloured or feel rough inner
surfaces of teeth without having any persistent dental disease. The most
possible cause to all these conditions can be a chronic stress which is silently
preying on your healthy teeth leaving damaged ones as a consequence . Some of
the most common oral health problems caused by heightened levels of stress are
as follows:
Dry Mouth:
Distressed people are more likely to experience reduction in salivary flow which
interferes with the neutral pH of mouth which is considerably 7 leaving it
acidic and an attractive place for the overgrowth of certain bacterias.Since
mucus contains protein that remineralizes the outer tooth later known as enamel
so it's disruption ultimately leads to a weakened tooth structure.
Teeth Grinding(Bruxism):
Whenever you're in a state of constant thinking and worrying grinding your teeth
can be a possible oral outcome. Clenching and grinding can wear down or cause
chipped teeth.Infact,most of the time people are unaware that they are grinding
their teeth while asleep resulting in aching jaw or constant dull headache in
the morning.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:
Prolong state of tooth grinding can cause dislocation of temporomandibular joint
producing severe pain and discomfort to the jaw and surrounding area as well as
inducing strained facial and jaw muscles which marks difficulty in opening or
closing your mouth or while biting or chewing your daily routine food.
Periodontitis:
Stress can weaken your immune system in a harmful way reducing the ability of
body to combat infections and increasing production of inflammatory agents which
initially causes inflammation of gums(gingivitis) and ultimately spreading of
infection throughout the supporting structures of teeth such as periodontal
ligament, cementum and alveolar bone leading to periodontitis.
Canker Sores:
Canker sores are small or swallow lesions found in the soft tissue lining of
oral cavity which may also be triggered by traumatic tooth brushing or biting
your inner cheek's surface. Usually they can be heal on their own without any
treatment.
Management Of Stress And Conservation Of Oral Health:
1)Try to eradicate the reason which is stress as soon as possible by consulting
behavioural psychologists.
2)Go for a meditation or any activity which helps to lower down your stress and
makes you calm.
3)Get a plenty of sleep at night particularly 7 to 9 hours but not any more than
that cause it will make you lethargic.
4)If you have a habit of night grinding consult your dentist immediately for a
custom fitted night guard to prevent further tooth damage.
5)Watch out your stomach also if you're having acid reflux disease then surely
these acid attacks will have damaging effects on your teeth.
6)Maintain a good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes
along with flossing.