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Everyone knows that too much stress impacts our mental health and physical well-being. Did you know that the effects of all that stress can lead to problems with your mouth, teeth and gums? Luckily, there are steps one can take to keep healthy. 

First, take some time to figure out what you can do to lower your level of stress. Easier said than done for some, but here are some ideas you may want to try out. If one or two work for you then stick with it! 

Dance it out!    Go for a walk.   Talk about it.   Breathe.    Read a book.

Go to bed earlier.    Focus on what you can control.    Ask for a hug.

Reminisce about good times.  Look for opportunities in life’s challenges.  

Exercise.     And last, but absolutely not least – SMILE!

While you work on lowering stress levels, try these tips to help improve the effects on your teeth.

-  If you find that you are clenching or grinding your teeth (most do it at night during sleep) tell Dr. Joy Lunan. She will check for signs of worn teeth, sensitivity, and sore or popping TMJ. Dr. Lunan may recommend a night guard to be worn as you sleep or even during the day. 

-  Stress can increase your chances of developing a canker sore. These are small spots with a white or grayish color with a red border. They show up inside your mouth and can be very sore. These sores have been linked to trauma in the mouth like biting your cheek, but stress plays a role as well. They are not a serious oral condition, but they can be very unpleasant. They typically last 7-10 days. To ease irritation try to stay away from spicy foods or high acid foods like tomatoes or citrus foods. Dr. Lunan may even prescribe a numbing ointment for pain relief. 

-  Sometimes when we are under a lot of stress we tend to skip brushing and flossing. If you start doing this then you open yourself up to getting cavities and gum disease. Multiple sources also show a link between negative emotions and the develpoment of gum disease. The more intense the emotions are, the more severe the gum disease becomes. When you are stressed you may pick up some bad habits like snacking on sugary foods or drinks which also raises risk for cavities. If these things are starting to happen, try to remind yourself that clean teeth and healthy eating habits can help make you feel better about yourself in general, therefore, relieving stress. Plus, it makes everyone happy when they hear that they don’t have any cavities. 

Problems in your mouth can have a big impact on how you feel and your anxiety. They can be stressful. Stress just makes the problems worse. Stop this cycle by finding ways to relieve stress that work for you and visit Dr. Lunan’s dental office in Middlebury, CT to explore prevention and treatment options.  Call for an appointment today.  203-598-7920

 

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