Stress is a natural part of life. We experience stress every day due to work, school, family, or friends. However, stress becomes a problem when it becomes overwhelming and interferes with our daily activities.

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to situations or events in our lives that we perceive as dangerous, threatening, or harmful in some way. While everyone feels stressed from time to time, it can seriously impact your oral health. When your body responds to stress, it releases various hormones and chemicals into your bloodstream. These can directly impact the health of your teeth by causing the gums to swell, bleed, and become inflamed. This can lead to bacterial infections that can cause cavities or even gum disease. Decreased saliva production can also result from stress. This can cause dry mouth, which can result in bad breath as well as tooth decay and gum disease.

How Does Stress Affect Your Oral Health

If you are experiencing a lot of stress, then you are probably grinding your teeth at night. This can cause tooth sensitivity or damage to your enamel. In addition, stress can cause you to neglect your oral hygiene routine, which can contribute to cavities and more serious oral health issues.

One way that you can avoid this outcome is to practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing before bedtime. You can also reduce anxiety by distracting yourself with a favorite book or other activities you enjoy.

You can incorporate these techniques into your nightly bedtime routine so that you can make your sleep environment as relaxing as possible. Some patients find it helpful to use a nightguard to bed so that their teeth are protected while they snooze.

Wearing a nightguard may reduce clenching, jaw pain, and teeth grinding. If you do experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your dentist about wearing a nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. They are comfortable, easy to wear, and can be custom-made for your mouth.

If you’re feeling stressed out, it’s tempting to turn to food or drink for comfort. Unfortunately, this can lead to cavities and tooth decay if you don’t care for your teeth properly. Instead, take deep breaths and practice mindfulness exercises to help you relieve tension and calm your mind. In addition to managing stress through exercise and nutrition, visiting the dentist every six months can help boost your oral health as well. 

At Wes Yomoto Esthetic Dentistry, we provide patients with a wide range of dental services to help them improve their oral health and enhance their smile. Our dentist in San Jose, CA, and his experienced team are committed to providing each patient with personalized treatment plans that address their unique dental needs.