Yoga, walking, meditation, prayer etc…..are most of the things that people try in order to relieve themselves of the stress which plagues mankind in this modern fast world. Stress has usually been linked with cardiovascular and mental disorders but you should also know its implications on dental health.
Ever felt so angry or tensed that you realize only later that you have been clenching your teeth all the time? Emotional Stress plays a major factor in teeth clenching and grinding. This is called bruxism and it happens most commonly while one is asleep. Bruxism leads to increased time of contact between the upper and lower teeth whereas in normal conditions the upper and lower teeth are in contact only for about 20-30 minutes a day. Studies also reveal that bruxers exhibit 10-20 folds increase in the amount of masticatory stress contributing to further damage. The effects of bruxism include abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal/incisal surfaces of teeth, abfractions and may even cause fractures of the teeth. Overtime, bruxism can lead to myofacial muscle pain, temperomandibular joint (lower jaw) dysfunction and even headaches. In chronic, severe cases, arthritis of the TMJ may occur.
Night guards or other appliances are available which may help minimize the effects of bruxism. Muscle relaxants may also be necessary.
Gum boils / mouth sores / apthous ulcers are small ulcers that occur in the oral cavity and are caused by a number of reasons, stress being one of them. They last for about 7-14 days and disappear. Since it causes much pain, topical anesthetics may be used. To reduce irritation, spicy, hot foods and foods with a high acid content are to be avoided. It is a common condition encountered by exam taking students who are under stress.
Anxiety and stress lead to the release endogenous steroids (fight or flight hormones) which reduces the immune status of the body. Thus gingivitis and periodontitis are more likely to develop in a stressed individual without the same signs of inflammation and bleeding as that in a stress free individual. Pre existing gum diseases may be worsened.
Dental plaque formation is also found to increase during high stress levels as found out by various studies conducted.
Mood changes are also very evident in stressed individuals and thus their oral hygiene habits may differ; they tend to ignore their oral hygiene practices. One may also develop unhealthy eating habits such as excessive snacking on sugary foods. These lead to increased risk of cavities and gum disease. They also tend to take up bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse, all of which have negative effects on oral tissues.
We all know how easy it is for us to succumb to stress and we do our best to reduce it using many relaxation techniques. Stress is a whole body experience….don’t let it drive you astray!
{ 1 trackback }