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How Can Stress Damage Your Teeth?

2017 November 21
by admin

Our Burton and Ashby dentist looks at five ways that stress can be harmful to your teeth.

Stress, in some form or another, is an everyday reality for many people. Whether it is the stress of where the next meal is going to come from or because of a difficult decision that needs to be taken in business, stress affects nearly all of us.

Much attention has been paid, in the media, to the harm to our health that stress can cause. However, less attention has been paid to oral health issues that it might lead to. In today’s blog, we will look at some of the possible consequences of stress on our oral health.

‘See through’ teeth

The enamel on our teeth should be white and non transparent. If you notice that your teeth have a translucent appearance, this means that you have been wearing away the enamel, possibly through teeth grinding (bruxism). As the enamel of the teeth is what protects the softer, more porous inner part, you should speak to the dentist at Alexandra Dental Care about this.

Jaw pain

A painful, aching or clicking jaw is likely to result from stress. Very often this will be because the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been affected. One of our dentists, Dr Yogi Savania has a special interest in this field and is available to help patients in the Burton or Ashby area with this problem.

Gum disease

Although poor gum health is usually caused by neglect or poor cleaning, stress can exacerbate the problem. If you do look after your gums by brushing, flossing and dental hygienist cleaning, you should be able to avoid serious gum problems during more stressful periods.

Root canal infection

When we are stressed, teeth grinding whilst we sleep is very common. This can cause the teeth to crack. Even the smallest invisible cracks in the teeth will allow bacteria to enter and eventually access the root canals where the nerves are stored. This can cause severe pain and, once infected, can only be restored with a root canal procedure.

Bad breath

Bad breath can be caused by gum disease, especially in its advanced stage of periodontitis. When this stage has been reached, a ‘deep clean’ may be necessary to remove bacteria not only from the teeth and gum-line, but also from the teeth roots and the bone in which the teeth are held. Although it may be tempting, during stressful times, smoking and heavy drinking should be avoided as this will worsen the problem.

The key to good oral health is regular and ongoing care. Much damage caused by stress will start of in a relatively minor manner, but most problems, such as a cracked tooth, may become worse if ignored, possibly cracking deeper or even breaking off altogether.

Make sure that you stay on top of your oral health with regular monitoring at Alexandra Dental Care. You should also seek advice and assistance from your GP where stress is causing you difficulties. Please call us today on 01283 216347.

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