Because periods of stress can be difficult to avoid, it is important to know how your experiences with stress might affect you. One thing people sometimes overlook is the relationship between stress and their dental health. When you are undergoing a period of stress, it can affect your schedule, it can lead to harmful habits like teeth grinding, and it can affect your diet. Recognizing these issues and reacting with smart behaviors can help you avoid a situation where a period of stress results in oral health problems that need to be addressed. While your Sheridan, WY dentist is here to help if you need work done to restore your oral health, we can also offer guidance on better habits when you meet with us for a routine dental exam.
How Can Stress Levels Affect My Dental Health?
If you are living with stress, it can cause changes in your life that may escape your full notice. Are you someone who gravitates toward comfortable foods and beverages in stressful times? If so, you may be raising your risk for tooth decay without realizing it. If your stress is linked to your schedule, you may have cut your oral hygiene routine short without realizing it. This can make you more likely to experience problems that demand dental fillings or dental crowns in the near future!
Make Sure You Have Good Oral Hygiene Habits In Place
If you are busy or distracted, you may rush through brushing and flossing without meaning to. When this occurs, it becomes easier for plaque and tartar to form on your smile. Unfortunately, tartar buildup is something that cannot be addressed at home, though your hygienist can remove this substance from your teeth during a professional cleaning. In addition to making you more vulnerable to cavities, a buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to a higher risk for gum disease.
Has Your Stress Caused You To Start Grinding Your Teeth?
Are you prone to teeth grinding during periods of stress? If you are, it may cause you to suffer TMJ disorder. This problem is not exactly beneficial to anyone trying to bring their stress levels under control. If it is not addressed, you can experience headaches, jaw pain, and stiffness in your jaw movements. With oral appliance therapy, we can reduce pressure on your jaw and help you reduce stress.
Your Sheridan, WY Dentist Can Help You Manage Your Oral Health
At our Sheridan, WY dentist’s office, we are prepared to help our patients manage their oral health. During stressful and relaxed periods alike, a commitment to smart smile care can be important. If you have questions about your dental health, or if you think something might be wrong with your smile, please call Grinnell Street Dental today at 307-672-7567.
