How Stress Can Contribute to Dental Emergencies?

Hustle and bustle have become a common part of our modern life. Therefore, stress has also become familiar in our lives. The pressure of daily challenges, work, and relationships contribute to a vital prevalence of stress in society. This increased level of stress hormone lowers our immunity and makes us more susceptible to periodontal disease and dental emergencies.

In addition, stressed people tend to get involved in activities like smoking, not caring for their teeth, not eating a balanced diet, or postponing dental visits. This blog will talk about how stress can negatively impact our dental health and result in dental emergencies.

Ways Stress Can Lead to Dental Emergencies

Below are some of the dental problems that are associated with stress.

Bruxism: The grinding of your teeth and clenching of your jaw is commonly a result of stress. These issues can result in dental attrition and wear away the enamel. Moreover, they can lead to tooth loss, jaw pain, and headaches, for which you have to visit an emergency dentist in Centreville.

Tooth Decay: When people are stressed, they are likely to neglect their dental hygiene. In addition, they may eat a poor diet, which is high in carbs and sugar and can wreak havoc on their oral health.

Gum Disease: Stress has the ability to lower your immune system. Therefore, it can make you more susceptible to dental infections like gum disease. When this issue becomes severe, you have to get emergency dental care right away.

Canker Sores: These are white shallow lesions. They can develop in your mouth due to stress. Although they are harmless and can be mitigated on their own, they can sometimes be painful and lead to emergency dental care.

Dry Mouth: Saliva can significantly hamper your saliva production. As a result, it can cause dry mouth. Without an adequate amount of saliva, you may have an increased risk of developing cavities.

Stress does not just stop at resulting in dental emergencies. It is capable of worsening existing dental problems as well. You must understand this connection as it is important for comprehensive dental care.

How to Manage Stress?

When you get to learn to manage your stress and deal with it, you will be able to protect your oral health. Here are some vital ways you can manage your stress.

• You must try to address your underlying causes.
• Do not forget to exercise regularly.
• You must practice deep breathing exercises.
• Always consider eating a healthy diet.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Additionally, you must not get engaged with alcohol or smoking as a coping mechanism for stress. This is because it can compromise your oral health. If you are experiencing anxiety and stress or facing difficulty coping with it, you must consider talking to a professional.

If you are worried stress is negatively impacting your oral health, feel free to talk to our dentists. Our professionals have years of experience and expertise and can help you deal with your stress in no time. Get in touch with us now.