Stress affects your mouth too
TOO much stress affects your entire body, including your mouth, teeth and gums.
The potential impact includes: mouth sores, such as canker sores and cold sores; clenching or grinding your teeth; not taking care of your teeth; maintaining a bad diet; gum (periodontal) disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease; bad habits like chewing your nails, ice, pencils, or other objects; and depression. These oral health problems can be prevented.
POOR ORAL HYGIENE
Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip brushing, flossing and rinsing.
When you’re stressed, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. This can put you at risk for tooth decay and other dental problems.
What should you do? Remind yourself of the importance of proper oral hygiene and practising healthy eating habits. A regular exercise routine can relieve stress, boost your energy levels and encourage you to eat healthier.
MOUTH SORES
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that often appear on or around the lips, but can also crop up under the nose or around the chin.
Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak, so can a fever, sunburn, or skin abrasion.
Prescriptive antiviral medications may be used to treat mouth sores.
Canker sores are small spots with a white or greyish base that have red borders. They show up inside your mouth, sometimes in pairs or in greater numbers. Experts are not certain of their cause. However, it could be a problem with your immune system – your body’s defence against germs. Or, they might be due to bacteria or viruses. Stress will likely raise your chances of getting them.
To ease irritation, don’t eat spicy, hot foods or anything with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits. Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days.
What should you do? Try over-the-counter “numbing” medicine that can be applied directly to the sore. If you get canker sores often, your dentist may prescribe a steroid ointment.
TEETH GRINDING
Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth – during the day or at night, and often subconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism.
If you already clench and grind your teeth, stress could make the habit worsen, leading to problems with your TMJ, which is located in front of your ear where the skull and lower jaw meet.
What should you do? See your doctor and ask what can be done for the clenching and grinding. Your dentist may recommend a night guard, worn as you sleep, or another instrument to help you stop or minimise the actions.
Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. She is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica School of Oral Health Sciences. Dr Robinson may be contacted at 630-4710.
