In today’s world, it almost goes without saying that stressing out is bad for your mind. Getting too worked up for too long will lead to irritability, depression, and so on. However, did you know that chronic stress also harms oral health? If you don’t manage your worries well, your smile will suffer various problems. For the specific details, let your Milwaukee dentist explain in this primer on how stress can cause dental damage.
How Chronic Stress Harms Oral Health
Aside from making you tense and moody, chronic stress will ruin your grin when left unchecked. After all, the condition can prompt the following:
It Leads to Teeth Grinding
You know how people develop nervous habits to relieve stress? Well, one such practice can include bruxism – frequent teeth grinding or clenching. This tendency will wear down your enamel if you overindulge it, resulting in tooth sensitivity, chipped teeth, and even jaw disorders.
It Encourages Unhealthy Eating
Once you feel overly frazzled and stressed, you could all too easily turn to unhealthy junk food for comfort. That choice would put your smile at risk of cavities, gum disease, and worse. Indeed, eating and drinking too much sugar would attract plaque and tartar that decay (and infect) your grin.
It Weakens Your Immune System
If you feel like anxiety weakens your body, you aren’t imagining things. Chronic stress weakens the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to diseases and infections over time. That means your unrestrained worries could make you susceptible to infected gums and teeth.
Great Tips on Fighting Stress
To fight the stress that harms your smile, try adopting the following tips:
- Get Some Exercise: Since stress has a physical element, regular exercise can often relieve it. That said, do some workouts as part of your weekly routine going forward.
- Limit Your Caffeine: As a stimulant, caffeine won’t do your stress levels any favors. Limit your intake by having less coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks.
- Listen to Music: If you really want to ease your anxiety, listen to calming music. Good examples include instrumental and classical pieces, as well as nature sounds.
- Meditate Often: By closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, you can take your mind off your worries. You’ll then be able to calm your nerves.
Given that chronic stress harms oral health, don’t give in to it. Use the tips above or consult your dentist to ensure your mood stays smile-friendly!
About the Practice
Milwaukee Dental Implants is based in Milwaukee, WI. Led by the amazing Dr. Barry Franzen, our practice strives to help every patient’s smile flourish. We thus offer wide-ranging and comprehensive dentistry, with a special focus on dental implant services. Whether your grin just needs a checkup or a complete restoration, our team will gladly get the job done! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (414)-543-5432.