Impact Of Stress On Oral Health

(Midah Khan, )

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.

 

Midah Khan
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