How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Stress. We all experience it, some of us more than others. It can result from a high pressure job, hard times in life, or when there’s just too much to do. And while a little stress is to be expected, too much stress can cause serious health problems throughout your body, including your mouth. All of us at Dr. Jack Kayton’s dental office in Charlottesville want to talk a little bit about the ways stress can put your mouth in danger.

Bruxism – Stress can often lead to bruxism, also known as a tooth grinding. When you grind your teeth at night, sometimes without even realizing it, it can lead to tooth damage and can even cause problems with your TMJ (jaw joint).

Dry Mouth – Dry mouth results when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva and can cause tooth decay and increase the risk of gum disease. Dry mouth can often result from conditions caused by stress or as a side effect of prescriptions used to treat stress or depression.

Canker Sores – Canker sores can sometimes be brought on by stress and, while they are harmless, they can be quite painful.

Gum Disease – Since long-term stress affects the immune system, it’s especially concerning for your Charlottesville dentist. When your immune system is affected by stress, the risk of periodontal disease is greatly increased.

While we know it’s nearly impossible to avoid all stress, we do want to encourage our patients to understand how it affects your oral and overall health. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we discussed, please call Dr. Jack Kayton to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find the best solution for you and get your mouth healthy.