How Does Stress Affect Your Oral Health?
Did you know that stress can impact your mental health, physical health, and overall well-being? Many people are familiar with the impacts of stress on your cardiovascular health, but most tend to overlook its significant impact on their oral health. Stress can lead to teeth grinding, affecting your mouth, teeth, and gums. Our dedicated team at Highlight Family Dentistry is pleased to offer tailored dental health solutions to safeguard your smile.
The Link Between Stress and Teeth Grinding
Stress is the body’s response to any form of threat. Stressful situations send our bodies into “fight-or-flight” mode to be able to face emergency situations. One of the ways stress impacts you is by increasing teeth grinding and clenching, which can affect your oral health and overall well-being.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. It usually occurs during your sleep but can also happen during the day, often worsening during times of stress or anxiety. With time, teeth grinding can strain your head and neck muscles, leading to morning headaches, tension in your face or neck, sleep disturbances, and daytime fatigue.
How Does Bruxism Impact Your Oral Health?
Habitual grinding and clenching can be devastating for your oral health, which is why it is important to schedule regular dental checkups, especially during times of stress. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to many dental health complications, including the following:
- Uneven tooth wear or flattened tooth surfaces
- Chipped or cracked tooth enamel
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain or facial discomfort
- Damaged dental restorations like crowns or fillings
- The formation of periodontal pockets, leading to gum inflammation and infection
- Gum recession, exposing more of the tooth root
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
Things You Can Do to Reduce the Effects of Stress on Your Smile
It’s important to be proactive about caring for your oral health and managing your stress. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, sleep well, and practice self-care. Do things you enjoy, like journaling, listening to music, or tending to your garden. Understanding the connection between stress and its impact on your oral health is integral for managing your overall health and well-being.
Managing Bruxism and Safeguarding Your Smile
At Highlight Family Dentistry, we offer proactive solutions to combat the effects of teeth grinding, including night guards. Our custom oral appliances are tailored to your specific needs and worn during sleep to prevent the impacts of bruxism on your smile.
Night guards, also known as occlusal guards, are crafted from durable materials that provide a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from making contact as you sleep. They absorb the grinding and clenching forces, protecting your teeth and balancing your bite. Although not a cure for teeth grinding, night guards can prevent damage to your teeth and jaws.
Custom Mouthguards in Hutto, TX
If stress is causing bruxism and impacting your oral health, our team at Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto is here to help. Our custom-crafted night guards are made from the highest quality materials to provide superior fit, comfort, and protection. We invite you to call us at (512) 886-2644 to schedule your appointment today!