Ways Stress Affect Your Oral Health

Posted by Sina Malekuti DDS, PC Mar 02,2023

Stress can have many negative effects on your body. Your oral health is no exception. The connection between stress and your oral health is clear. Stress can weaken your immune system, leaving you more at risk for infection. Stress can affect you in following ways:

Clenching/ Grinding Teeth

When you clench your teeth, you cause a chain reaction of problems for your oral and overall health. This habit puts stress on your entire jaw and neck area. The pressure caused by clenching can lead to tooth chipping or cracking. You can also experience headaches and migraines as added side effects of this habit. It is important to visit your dentist to determine the best course of action if you grind your teeth at night. In some cases, you may need to wear a protective mouth guard while you sleep to prevent damage to your teeth.

Sleep Deprivation

If you are like most people, you probably aren’t getting enough sleep. Sleep is essential for your health, including your oral health. When you wake up, your mouth is still at night. This can allow bacteria to fester and cause cavities. In addition to giving you energy, sleeping also gives you time to heal, which can prevent infection.

Some studies even show that sleep disorders increase your risk of gum disease. This is because your immune system is compromised and can’t fight infections as well as it normally would.

When your body is under stress, you are likely to clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night. This can weaken your tooth enamel and lead to chips and cracks. Over time, this will only increase tooth decay risks.

When you are stressed, you are at a higher risk for oral injuries such as cuts and lip sores. These can become infected easily, leading to more stress on your body and more stress brushing around those sore areas.

Diet and Nutrition

When we experience stress, we tend to reach for unhealthy options to help us cope — like sugary snacks or comfort foods. Unfortunately, this can lead to oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Eating well can help you combat the effects of stress and eat healthier in general. Aim for a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy items, and water. Avoid foods high in sugar like soda, candy, cookies, and similar treats. You should also avoid alcohol as it can exacerbate existing issues in your mouth. Consider adding vitamins to your diet as well to boost your overall health. Some great options for boosting your vitamin intake include fish, eggs, milk, cheese, citrus fruits, and dark leafy greens like spinach. You can also talk to your dentist about other Vitamins you might want help with.

Smoking

Some people tend to smoke more when they are stressed. Tobacco use causes many oral problems that can lead to tooth loss. Tooth loss is one of the most common consequences of tobacco use due to gum disease, staining, and infections. Smokers are more likely to have red or swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing. Cigarette smoke also irritates the gum tissues and can make them recede. When tobacco users continue to expose their smile to additional plaque accumulation and bacteria, tooth decay is also common. A large percentage of smokers over the age of 35 also have periodontal bone loss. This loss of bone structure can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out.

To learn more, contact Sina Malekuti DDS, PC, at 6120 Brandon Ave Suite 303, Springfield, VA 22150, or call (703) 451-3211.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN EMERGENCY DENTIST

We would prefer that we could schedule inconveniences, but that is not possible. At the very least, we ought to be prepared for the unexpected as much as we can. Being in pain commands our full attention and if we have a plan in place beforehand, then the emergency will end sooner than if we had no plan. It is obvious that we are not at our best at making decisions when in pain. When that pain is dental, it may escalate to the point where we begin to consider emergency treatment. Pain somehow seems exponentially worse in the middle of the night than in the daylight hours, and the question of whether to pursue professional pain relief depends on several factors. Let’s plan now for those times by examining our options. DENTAL EMERGENCIES A knocked-out tooth, a swollen gum or jaw where you suspect an abscess, and dental agony which do not respond to over-the-counter analgesics all require emergency attention. Many dentists schedule in response time for dental emergencies during their workday, so check with your dentist first of all. The dreaded after-hours emergency need not be insurmountable. If your locality offers either a private or university-based dental clinic, check them for extended hours and emergency services. In the meantime, deal with your situation by treating yourself. Secure your knocked-out tooth in a glass of milk until it can be reinserted. Warm compresses over any swelling will ease the discomfort until you may be treated professionally. As a last resort, the hospital emergency room will help you become pain-free until your regular dentist is available. MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD EMERGENCIES REQUIRE A JUDGMENT CALL Techniques exist for ameliorating dental pain, and you should know them. Oil of clove applied to the aching tooth is a traditional analgesic, and packing a vacant filling space with sugarless gum helps with smoothing rough edges which may abrade the inside of your mouth. Rubbing an ice cube on the web between the thumb and forefinger on the same side of the body as the pain has been reported to be successful. PAINFUL CONDITIONS CAN BE HELPED, TOO These conditions may not be a full-fledged emergency, but they hurt enough to require assistance as soon as possible. For instance, loose braces or wires which jab the sensitive inside of the mouth may be smoothed by applying orthodontic wax over the abrasive edges. Gentle flossing between the teeth will remove any bits of food that may be causing pressure, and your problem will be solved quickly if this is the only factor causing pain. A time-honored technique is to rinse the mouth with salt water several times daily. Knowing these pain control techniques will make the difference between a restful night and a pain-filled one. Your dentist wants you to be pain-free at all times, so let’s help them out by learning as much as possible what to do in a dental emergency. If you have any questions or need to visit our office due to a dental emergency in Springfield, VA, call us immediately to schedule or walk in, we are here to help.

HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL PLAQUE

Plaque is a mixture of bacterial by-products, food particles, and saliva that builds upon the surfaces of your teeth. If your teeth feel sticky or furry, you have plaque. Plaque results from eating carbohydrates. The bacteria in your mouth combine with carbohydrates to form acid. This acid combines with food and saliva to make a paste that sticks to the surfaces in your mouth. Plaque collects in places where it is hard to clean the gum line, between teeth, and on the soft surfaces of your mouth such as your tongue or your cheek. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar which has to be scraped off the surfaces of your teeth. The good thing about plaque is it’s not permanent. There are five ways to prevent plaque from damaging your health. 1. BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY Don’t forget to brush all the surfaces in your mouth including the front, top, and back surfaces of your teeth, your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the inner sides of the cheek. Most people don’t brush their teeth long enough to clean all the surfaces in their mouths. Play a song that lasts at least 2 minutes long and brush your teeth for the entire tune. 2. FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH To prevent plaque from deteriorating the surfaces between your teeth, floss. Use dental floss or other devices to clean the surfaces between teeth and along the gum line that the brush can’t reach. 3. MOUTHWASH Rinse your teeth for thirty seconds twice a day with an antiseptic mouth rinse after brushing and flossing. An antiseptic mouth rinse does more than make your breath smell sweet it provides an added health benefit. After careful brushing to remove harmful bacteria rinsing with an antiseptic rinse helps slow the growth of new bacteria. 4. LIMIT STICKY OR SUGARY FOODS Brush your teeth as soon as you can after eating sticky, sugary foods. Not only does the sugar stick more readily to the surfaces of your teeth, but it also provides a banquet for acid-forming bacteria. There are two stopgap measures you can use if you can’t brush right away: swish and chew. Swish your mouth with water to dislodge larger pieces of sticky, sugary foods. Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production. These will not remove plaque, but they will lessen the number of food particles the bacteria feed on-less food for bacteria, less acid. You will still need to brush and floss to thoroughly remove the added plaque caused by eating sticky, sugary foods. 5. VISIT YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY A visit to the dentist and the hygienist every 6 months helps keep teeth in their best health. These visits help your dentist monitor the health of your teeth and provide the necessary care for a healthy, disease-free mouth. Brushing, flossing, rinsing, limiting sticky, sugary foods, and Regular dentist visits are the foundation of dental health. Use these five steps to fight plaque and help you prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

HOW TO DEVELOP A GOOD DENTAL ROUTINE

Lifestyle choices make a significant impact on how well you are in terms of health, and how long you are going to live. This includes your dental health. Often, you can prevent the vast number of dental issues, at least in part, by having a good dental routine. BRUSHING AND FLOSSING We are creatures of habit. Results from research conducted on many people show one clear secret of a longer and healthier life – good dental hygiene. What this indicates is that every one of us, regardless of age and health conditions, should have a routine of brushing and flossing every day, preferably twice a day. HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINKS You should minimize the amount of unhealthy food you consume as a part of your general health. However, if you have cavities or sensitive teeth, then avoiding junk food and sugary treats is even more important. Note that when it comes to food choice, moderation is the key and watchword. VISIT A DENTIST It is important to see a dentist at least once a year, irrespective of whether or not you’re currently experiencing dental issues. Your decision in choosing a dentist who is trained and skilled may come down to the dentist’s practice style and popularity. The choice is yours. Choose a dentist who can communicate well with you regarding your problems. Make an appointment for an initial consultation, which is usually free. Ask who covers for the dentist, what treatment you may need, what care to expect, and so on. If you feel comfortable with the dentist after checking out the credentials and having a consultation, you have probably found the right person. LEARN ABOUT DENTAL HEALTH Learn some of the basic dental health terms. Stick with websites that have forums and discussions about having a good dental routine. You will have a number of options with toothpaste selection, floss selection, dentist choice, and other routine-related matters. The buck stops with you. If you aren’t satisfied with one dentist, seek a second opinion. Most of all, don’t waste your time waiting for an opinion you like. CONCLUSION If you make oral hygiene a priority, you will have a much better chance of avoiding gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by developing a great dental routine! Call our dentist in Springfield, VA, to help you keep your mouth healthy and your smile dazzling!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BLOG!

Here at Sina Malekuti, DDS, PC, we endeavor to use our new blog as a regular means for publishing valuable content for our community through monthly blog posts. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, we’re able to further explore some of the most important topics pertaining to our industry and area of expertise here on our website through these articles. Each profession tends to be its own little niche, which is a good thing because it creates a unique space for our services and a place for you to learn and implement helpful ideas that can benefit you and the people you care about. We’re excited to share this ongoing knowledge base of blog articles with this online community. These blogs provide timely and relevant information that’s conveniently accessible online. Indeed, we hope that this community will use the valuable information found in our regular blog posts, because they are an effective way for us to reach out to you on a monthly basis, while you still enjoy the comforts of your own home. If you have any questions or want more information, we invite you to call our team at Sina Malekuti, DDS, PC in Springfield, Virginia, today at 703-451-3211. We look forward to helping you in any way we can, and we thank you for the opportunity!

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