When we are anxious to give the next work presentation, stuck in traffic, or watching our kids argue, our stress hormones surge. Unknowingly, our heart races, and our breath quickens. The body's natural response to stress was designed to protect our body from imminent danger and prepare our body to react. In fact, even our muscles are ready for action when we are stressed. While our body has physical responses to stress, our oral health is also affected by stress.
Stress and Your Oral Health
Stress creates responses in your body, and if stress is continual, it can take a toll on your health. Your oral health can also be affected. For instance, stress can cause you to grind your teeth. Most people do it in their sleep. Grinding your teeth can cause headaches and even damage your teeth. Your stress can also manifest through mouth ulcers. Painful and annoying mouth ulcers like canker sores can go away as your stress decreases.
How we cope with stress can also bring a new set of problems to our oral health condition. For instance, if you smoke to decrease stress, you could contract oral cancer. If you bite your nails to manage stress, you can damage your teeth. Also, if you choose to emotionally eat during stressful times in their life, you probably aren't grabbing for an apple or an orange. Many people choose to consume sugary snacks to abate their stress levels.
Come See us And we Can Help Your Oral Health
While we do not specialize in managing stress, we can help to care for your oral health and point you in the direction of professionals who could help with your stress. We want to come alongside you to cope in helpful ways with the stress in your life.
Dental Blog | Dentist Normandy Park, WA | Watermark Dentistry Our team at Watermark Dentistry has provided this educational blog as a resource to our patients. Click here to learn about procedures, home care and more! Watermark Dentistry, 18537 First Avenue South, Suite A, Normandy Park, WA 98148-1888 ^ (206) 242-5808 ^ watermarkdentistry.com ^ 3/30/2023 ^ Page Keywords: dentist Normandy Park WA ^
When we are anxious to give the next work presentation, stuck in traffic, or watching our kids argue, our stress hormones surge. Unknowingly, our heart races, and our breath quickens. The body's natural response to stress was designed to protect our body from imminent danger and prepare our body to react. In fact, even our muscles are ready for action when we are stressed. While our body has physical responses to stress, our oral health is also affected by stress.