Stress can affect overall health, including dental health. It can cause different problems in oral health, such as poor gums, weak teeth, and bad breath. Some people also suffer from minor problems in the mouth because of stress. The dental problems vary in different patients because of stress and depression. This blog explains how stress can harm oral health in patients. It also explains the ways to overcome the problems by consulting the best dentist in Puyallup with good treatment.
Dental problems that stress causes in patients.
Many people do not believe that stress can badly affect oral health. Here is the list of dental problems caused by stress in various patients:
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Bruxism
The most common dental problem caused by stress is teeth grinding. Stress causes this problem, which causes pain in the head and neck. In many cases, teeth grinding causes broken and loosening teeth.
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White spots in the mouth
Many patients with high-stress levels suffer from ulcers or white spots in their mouths, which are painful. Some dentists may recommend a cream to reduce these white spots.
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Dry mouth
Stress causes dryness in the mouth. Some patients also have dry mouths because they take stress medications. Dryness in the mouth reduces the production of saliva, which may further cause tooth decay. It also causes severe gum problems in many people. Dry mouth also increases many other dental problems.
Ignoring oral hygiene
People with high stress levels neglect their health. They do not pay proper attention to things like flossing, brushing, or cleaning their teeth. Some people also consume a high amount of sugary foods under stress. Lack of oral hygiene causes problems like gum diseases, bad breath, and cavities. Some people may also lose their teeth due to poor oral hygiene.
Infection of the mouth
A study says that depression harms the immune system in patients. Stress can attack the body’s resistance power to fight diseases and infections. It can further increase problems such as gum disease, tooth loss, and bacteria in the mouth. Some people also suffer from infection in the mouth due to stress and tension.
Ways to manage stress and reduce dental problems
Dentists recommend many useful tricks to manage stress and reduce dental problems, such as:
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Low consumption of spicy and hot food
Patients with stress must avoid eating too spicy and hot foods, as well as foods containing high amounts of acid, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes. Avoiding spicy foods will decrease the occurrence of Canker sores in the mouth.
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Consuming medicines
Dentists recommend some medicines to cure cold sores in the mouth. These sores can be reduced with the help of medications and proper diagnosis. The dentist recommends some antiviral drugs to reduce old sores.
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Using a night guard or other tools
People with stress often face tooth grinding. Dentists may recommend that patients wear a night guard to reduce tooth grinding while sleeping. Some other tools or appliances can also stop the problem of teeth-grinding
Conclusion
To maintain perfect oral health, patients must reduce their levels of stress. They can try meditation to reduce stress. Getting a long and healthy sleep every night is helpful for decreasing cortisol levels in the body. Patients must reduce caffeine intake and visit the dentist regularly to maintain proper oral health. They must clean their teeth and mouth regularly to reduce gum problems. Brushing teeth twice daily and flossing frequently are good habits to cultivate to reduce dental problems.
