How stress affects your teeth and what to do about it

****Combat stress with a dentist in belfast city centre

It’s fairly safe to say that most of us experience stress on a weekly, if not daily, basis. Juggling our careers and personal lives often feels like a constant battle. We worry about that upcoming deadline, our partners, kids, health – we even worry about worrying.

This anxiety can be detrimental to health, and it certainly has an impact in your mouth. Issues associated with stress include:

• Tension, pain and/or clicking in your jaw joints due to clenching and grinding your teeth. You may also experience headaches, especially first thing in the morning. 

• Worn teeth, giving your teeth a shorter, flatter appearance. You may notice the edges of your teeth are chipped, or they feel sensitive with cold drinks or snacks. Many dentists have reported a recent increase in broken teeth, thought to be due to pandemic stress.

• A dry mouth. Our body’s response to stress reduces the production of saliva, which helps protect your teeth from decay, so a lack of it could increase your risk of developing cavities.

So, now you’re thinking to yourself “Wow, another thing for me to worry about. Thanks for that!”  

Please don’t worry! Take a few calming breaths and read on for some top tips on managing the effects of stress on your mouth and improving your overall wellbeing.

1) Address the stress.

Practicing mindfulness and meditation encourages us to live fully in the present and focus less on the past/future and develops our ability to cope with challenges life throws at us. As co-founder of Headspace, Andy Puddicombe, says, “We can’t control everything that happens, but we can change our experience of those things.” Apps such as Headspace and Calm offer guidance on developing inner peace in as little as 10 minutes per day.

Making time for exercise and self-care can also calm a racing mind. Ensure that you schedule some downtime in your week just for you to do the things you really enjoy, and don’t be tempted to let any work-related activities creep in!

2) Good oral hygiene and habits

The foundations of good oral health are thorough, regular brushing and cleaning between teeth and limiting foods and drinks high in sugar. During stress it’s common to comfort eat, or turn to alcohol to help you relax,  but this can increase the risk of damage to your teeth. Don’t believe us?

3) Come and see us!

Paste is not your average dental practice. Yes, we are passionate about teeth, but we are just as passionate about you! We can help restore and maintain your beautiful smile in a way that suits you and your lifestyle, in calming, spa-like surroundings. Our goal is to make stressful dental appointments a thing of the past.

Call or book online to visit us, we can’t wait to see you.

In the meantime, be kind to yourselves.