The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted our lives; there is lots of uncertainty in nearly everything we do or see. The world is battling a pandemic that isn’t showing any signs of ending or slowing down, and this has made stress a part and parcel of our daily life! Parents, in particular, are constantly faced with anxiety as well as fear. Recently, a particular study showed that numerous factors, including the current pandemic, require that parents regularly monitor their kids even as they undertake online lessons. This, coupled with the increasing concerns regarding healthcare amenities has resulted in parents feeling stressed all the time.
It is common knowledge that stress impacts health. However, very few people know that stress is dangerous for oral health. Today in this post, we are going to discuss in excruciating detail, a few conditions that are triggered by stress.
- Gum disease: Just as the name suggests, gum disease is a health condition that affects your gum. Common symptoms of gum disease include loose teeth, bleeding gums as well as bad breath. And while stress itself doesn’t trigger gum disease, it thwarts the body’s natural ability to fend off the disease. This implies that if you are currently experiencing any of the above symptoms, you don’t have any reason to put the blame on the pandemic to delay your routine dentist appointment.
- Mouth ulcers: For quite some time now, the popular myth has been that vitamin B deficiency and mouth injuries are the prime causes of mouth ulcers. However, recent research has shown that there is a strong connection between stress and mouth ulcers. So, if you have been experiencing mouth ulcers and suspect that stress could be a possible trigger, it is high time you schedule an appointment with your local dentist, who will certainly prescribe you either a cream or gel to help manage the pain caused by the ulcers in your mouth.
- Teeth grinding: This is a very common health issue that several people suffer from. And might it seem like a small problem, teeth grinding can easily result in severe headaches as well as sore jaws. Stress is arguably the leading cause of teeth grinding. Proven treatment options may include wearing a tooth guard as you sleep, counseling and therapy.
- Dry mouth syndrome: This is a health problem that usually affects women after reaching menopause. But stress is the other potential causative factor. Just as the name implies, this condition causes your mouth to become dry and you’ll experience a hot burning sensation in your mouth. While there are other potential treatment options, dry mouth syndrome is usually treated using anti-depressants.
- Nail-biting: It has been shown that a significant number of people often bite their nails to handle stress. But very few people know that nail-biting can ruin their health. When you constantly bite your nails, you essentially allow viruses, as well as bacteria, present on your hands to find their way into your mouth and gums. And these harmful pathogens can trigger numerous problems. If you are an ardent nail biter, it is high time you see your local dentist!
- Temporomandibular Joints Disorder: The temporomandibular joints, found right underneath your ear, promotes the movement of the lower jaw. Many individuals begin to grind their teeth during stressful moments. And this habit is arguably the major cause of temporomandibular joint disorder. Thankfully, a combination of a proper diet and medication can help manage and alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorder. But in some instances, anxiety drugs may be needed.
The bottom line:
As the pandemic continues to cause lots of problems, ranging from social to economic issues, nearly everyone is almost guaranteed to suffer from stress! However, we must strive to not allow stress to impact our health. If you strongly believe that stress is causing your oral health problems, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your local dentist to help solve the problem as soon as possible!
HPS Dental Care is Accepting New Dental Patients
At HPS Dental Care we focus not only on our dental patients’ teeth but also on their overall health. Start the New Year with a commitment to work on your oral health by calling us at 248-652-0024 to schedule your first dental appointment in 2023. HPS Dental is conveniently located on 24 Mile Road near Shelby Rd. in Shelby Township, MI.
