Stress is going to be there no matter what; the level of stress can differ from person to person. It also has an impact on the person’s oral health. For this reason, it is essential that you know how you can manage your stress and avoid deteriorating your health.
Stress is not something to be understood only as a mental state; it goes beyond that. There are a range of reactions that you get to see in your body; the oral cavity also gets impacted because of it. The body’s immune response also gets compromised when you take a lot of stress. You also start to grind your teeth and clench your jaw when you are stressed.
In San Juan Capistrano, you can find dentists who provide oral healthcare services and can give you advice on how you can manage your stress as well. If you are having oral health issues that you think are because of the level of stress you are experiencing, then consider reaching out to a holistic dentist in San Juan Capistrano.
What are the symptoms of stress that may reflect in your oral health?
Most of the time, we do not even realize how much our health is being affected by stress. Whether it is physical health or mental health, both get affected because of it. It includes our oral health as well.
Having the knowledge of how things are interconnected, one can get a better understanding of the importance of stress management. It is not only crucial for our overall health but also for our mouths. Let us look at some symptoms of it:
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Grinding one’s teeth:
When people are stressed, they are likely to grind their teeth a lot. Especially when one is asleep, many people have a habit of grinding teeth in sleep. In the long run, this can result in jaw pain; headaches can be there on a frequent basis, too.
People can make use of mouthguards to alleviate such symptoms and protect their teeth. There can be adverse effects of bruxism on a person’s oral health.
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Gum disease or gingivitis:
As you might already be aware, stress has the potential to make your immune system weak. It can make your body more susceptible to different diseases and infections. Oral health can be impacted in return, too. If you leave the early signs untreated, it can turn into periodontal disease in no time.
Periodontal disease is basically a more complex form of gum disease that can compromise your oral health to a reasonable extent. Certain Oral hygiene practices can make things better, such as regularly brushing and flossing.
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Canker sores:
You might see painful ulcers in your mouth, which are also called canker sores. They form as a result of stress. It can be very uncomfortable for people as they can make it difficult to have certain food items, and they are also painful.
They also make it difficult to talk. Good oral hygiene practices can help, and you should also avoid spicy food items during this time. If you find them becoming frequent or persisting for a longer duration, you must reach out to a professional.
How can you manage stress?
It would help if you visited the dental office for routine checkups to avoid any oral health problems.
There are different relaxation techniques that can help in managing stress; some of those techniques are listed below:
- Deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness practices.
- Exercising on a daily basis.
- Maintaining a healthy diet.
- Consumption of coffee and alcohol needs to be reduced.
- Get proper sleep to rejuvenate your body.
- A mouthguard can help in managing bruxism.
Treat your dental issues today!
Reach out to a professional the moment you notice symptoms of any oral health issue. It will help you avoid any future complications. Furthermore, if you are finding it challenging to manage your stress, a counselor can help.