Stress and Oral Health
What does the economic downturn have to do with your dental and mouth health?
Well, for one, even though we are seeing signs of improved economic times, the past two years of global financial uncertainty and disaster has sent many people’s stress levels sky high as they wonder about their jobs, the value of their houses or their declining retirement portfolios.
That stress can take a toll on your teeth and gums in a variety of ways.
One way stress affects oral health is through the practice of “bruxism,” or tooth grinding. The habit can cause damaged teeth, jaw and face pain, headaches and tooth sensitivity.
Stress also weakens the immune system, leading to an increased risk of oral infections including those of the gum tissue (periodontitis), canker sores and temporomandibular joint disorders, which are potentially painful conditions involving inflammation of the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull.
And anxious people are more inclined to soothe their stressed selves with alcohol or cigarettes – both of which can have negative effects on oral health. They may even neglect their oral health overall by failing to adequately brush or floss. That has been linked to other health issues such as heart disease.
A study in the respected Journal of Periodontology last year found stress and depression could play a role in the onset and progression of periodontal disease. In addition, it found that there was oral-care neglect during times of stress and that was linked to missing teeth. Study participants who said they neglected oral care in stressful times or periods of depression had more missing teeth than those who didn’t neglect their oral care in depressing or stressful times.
The study also suggested a link between the stress hormone cortisol and periodontal disease.
During stressful times, try to maintain proper oral hygiene and practise a healthy lifestyle. Remember – a failure to brush and floss regularly leads to teeth and gum problems, and that can only increase your stress!