At Parker & Pennington Dentistry, we truly care about your oral and overall health. There is one issue that can negatively impact your oral and overall health — stress. Whether it is caused by your career or life circumstances, stress can lead to serious health issues. Stress can also cause problems with your oral health and lead to dental treatments in the future.
Oral Conditions Caused By Stress
When we check your mouth, we are often able to tell the amount of stress you are under based on signs we can see in your teeth and mouth. These are some ways stress can be negatively affecting your oral health:
Clenching and Grinding
It is common for your body to become tense when you are stressed. This can also cause your jaw to clench, which can lead to bruxism. Bruxism is a common condition in which patients clench and grind their teeth. Unfortunately, this often happens during sleep. If not treated, it can lead to cracked teeth and uneven wear of the tooth enamel.
Canker Sores
Some people have the bad habit of chewing on the side of their mouth when they are feeling anxious or stressed. Canker sores can easily develop when you chew on the sides of your mouth. They are extremely painful and can make it difficult to eat and drink properly.
Dry Mouth
This condition is experienced when there is a lack of saliva. It is not uncommon for your heart rate to increase during times of stress and for you to begin breathing through your mouth. It is similar to what you may do during exercise. Over time, dry mouth can lead to issues with tooth decay and gum disease.
If you notice that you are experiencing any issues with your mouth, please contact our office located in Jacksonville Beach, FL as soon as possible. Dental issues that remain untreated can progress into something serious over time and lead to extreme discomfort and costly repairs. We also recommend scheduling an appointment if you have not had a routine hygiene examination in some time. We hope to see you soon!
