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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Andrew M. Sklar, DDS
Stress and Your Mouth
Andrew M. Sklar, DDS, PC

Stress and Your Mouth

You've seen the headlines. It seems like each day people in white lab coats discover some new health anomaly is linked to stress. Now you can add one more to the list stress is bad for your teeth. (Just one more reason to go on that vacation you've put off.)

According to a study printed in the Journal of Periodontology, short term psychological stress can lead to elevated plaque levels, while physical and long term stress is linked to gingivitis (gum disease) and conditions like TMJ.

How Does Stress Lead To Decreased Oral Health?

People under both physical and emotional stress often use unhealthy coping strategies to reduce their stress, such as drinking, smoking and consumption of comforting and energy boosting sugary foods. Also, those who are struggling with stress (as well as those who care for them) often become depressed and slide on oral hygiene, if not giving up on themselves altogether. This can lead to elevated plaque levels, tooth decay and eventually gum disease and even tooth loss. In addition, people under stress often clench or grind their teeth which can cause stress fractures/cracked teeth and TMJ.

More important, however, even in the absence of unhealthy behaviors, excessive/chronic stress (either physical or mental), has a detrimental effect on the optimal functioning of the immune system. Stress affects the hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. In small quantities cortisol is helpful. However, during times of continued stress cortisol levels are raised, immune system cells disappear from the blood and immune function will plummet, leaving the body more susceptible to inflammation, infection and disease.

What Can I Do To Protect My Teeth?

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing each night are the first step toward protecting yourself from tooth decay and gum disease. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are crucial. If detected early, inflammation, gingivitis and gum disease can be treated before affecting the integrity of your teeth and the bone that supports them. If unchecked, these conditions can lead to loose and missing teeth and can affect your ability to chew and digest your food. In addition, your dentist can repair decayed or cracked teeth before they cause further problems and fit you with any number of dental appliances to help if you are clenching or grinding your teeth.

While these steps can help reduce the risk of stress related periodontal disease and decreased oral health, they don't resolve the key problem stress! Exercising, meditating and eating right can help. And finding a fun activity or developing a hobby can be a fantastic release. Talking about it can help as well. So deal with your stress and maybe take that vacation you've been putting off. Your mouth will thank you.

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