How Stress Can Ruin More than Just Your Mood
Stress can make us feel emotionally horrible, but it also exacerbates a variety of health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, obesity, asthma and premature death. Our Mason general dentist has also seen the negative impact stress can have on oral health conditions, including bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Chronic stress can lead to problems with your mouth, gums and teeth. Common stress-related oral conditions include:
Teeth grinding: Stress makes you clench your jaw and grind your teeth. This can happen during waking hours and even while you sleep. If you already grind your teeth, stress only makes the problem worse. It can lead to problems with your temporomandibular joint, located where the skull and lower jaw meet. Symptoms of TMJ include headaches, back pain, ear-ringing and jaw-popping. If you are diagnosed with TMJ, Dr. Tara will design a treatment plan to help align your jaw and provide relief.
Canker sores: Experts are unclear on what causes these small, white-based, red-bordered spots in the mouth. Some believe they can result from immune deficiencies, bacteria or viruses. Stress likely increases your risk of getting them. If you suffer from persistent canker sores, Dr. Tara may be able to prescribe a steroid ointment to get them under control.
Cold sores: Also called fever blisters, these unwelcome sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. When you’re feeling stressed-out, it can trigger an outbreak. Ask our family dentist what treatment option is best for your situation.
Poor dental hygiene: When you’re feeling particularly down in the dumps, hygiene often takes a hiatus, especially oral hygiene. When you stop taking consistent care of your teeth, you are susceptible to gum disease and cavities. Remind yourself of the importance of maintaining a healthy cleaning routine. You don’t want to pile the stress of cavities on top of your existing stress.
But what if the very idea of visiting a dentist stresses you out? Hardin Advanced Dentistry has created a safe, relaxing environment and we offer sedation options to help calm your nerves while undergoing treatment.
If you need some help calming down and reducing stress in your daily life, you can:
- Breathe deeply
- Focus on the moment
- Get active
- Connect with others
- Get enough sleep
- Get creative
- Seek counseling
Our Mason general dentist is committed to helping you improve your oral health and your overall well being. To learn how we can help you correct any stress-related dental issues, contact Hardin Advanced Dentistry today online or at (513) 234-5531 to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve patients from Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, as well as Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
