Your Stress Might Be Affecting Your Dental Health. Seek Help from Your Family Dentist

It goes without saying that stress is a disorder that only and only leads to bad outcomes. Not only can it lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, but also the likelihood of a heart stroke. However, you may not be aware that stress in routine can also severely affect your gums and teeth. Today, we are here with some of the most common dental issues that often come with stress. 

Stress Leads to Increased Sugar Cravings. 

We all must have seen family dentists in Medicine Hat and other Canadian regions sharing that sugar can affect your dental health. Basically, sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, which leads to an acidic reaction that washes out the enamel, causing tooth decay. During stress flashbacks, one does not probably think of how bad sugar can be for your dental health. Instead, one reaches more to sugary foods just as convenience or comfort foods. Simply think of your late lunch or midnight cravings like high sugar muffins or protein bars. Emotional eating and stress snacking most likely lead to a high sugar diet routine. Ultimately, your gums and teeth will pay the price. 

Stress Sets Off TMJ Disorder. 

Typically, your dental joints have temporomandibular joints, also known as TMJs, located below the ear. Their main role is to help you move your lower jaw with absolute ease. Clenching or grinding your teeth are the most common signs that indicate you might be suffering from TMJ disorder. As a result, you will see that these joints will have severe swelling and stiffness. In case you also experience similar symptoms or any popping/clicking sounds, the time has come to consult a reliable general dentist in Medicine Hat and overcome this disorder. 

Stress Causes Teeth to Grind. 

Teeth clenching and grinding, also medically known as bruxism, are often triggered by anxiety and stress. But, hold on, that occasional stretch of grinding or clenching your teeth may not lead to anything beyond a severe headache or sore jaw. However, it may lead to chronic pain in the jaw and neck, wearing down your teeth, causing breakage, damaging the enamel, and in most cases, tooth loss. 

Paying No Heed to Dental Care

We all pretty much have a hectic lifestyle; either we are distracted, busy, or under pressure. Simultaneously, it seems easy to let things slide, most commonly our regular dental checkups. Or else, you may forget to floss your teeth daily. On top of that, if you have stress or anxiety, both your self-care and hygiene scale are affected. Putting in simple words, skipping dental health routines clearly shows that you are already on the verge of suffering from gum diseases and tooth decay. Furthermore, even minor dental issues become major without all those regular checkups, leaving you disappointed. 

WHAT TO DO NEXT?

As of now, when many of us can relate to this and already think that we don’t have time for this. However, it is important to find a day or two to visit your family dentist in Medicine Hat and get a thorough dental checkup done. After all, it would always be a perfect thing to consider the minor issues rather than suffering from sore jaws, teeth clenching or gum inflammation.