Even if you consider your life to be fairly laid back, everyone will experience stress at some point. You may not think too much about it because it can be normal to have too much on your plate at any given time. However, be aware of any significant changes in your oral health. You may be surprised to learn how stress is affecting you when you do not realize it.
Grinding Teeth and Other Bad Habits
Feeling anxious about something can lead you to partake in certain habits. Teeth grinding, chewing on a pencil and biting fingernails are all fairly common. However, these are all bad for your teeth. Any of them can lead to your teeth cracking, which can be extremely painful. If you catch yourself grinding your teeth, then try to take note of when it happens so you can stop the behavior, and look into getting a mouth guard if need be.
Canker Sores
Mouth sores can develop for a number of reasons. Sometimes, no apparent reason exists. Other times, the reason is excessive stress. Persistently feeling pressure can lead to these annoying little ulcers developing around your mouth. Therefore, if you have been under a lot of strain lately and have noticed these sores growing, it is a good idea to find a way to de-stress and put your health back on track.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)
Issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can develop for a number of reasons, but if you feel stressed and grind your teeth often, then problems can result from that. Some of the symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
- Difficulty closing and opening the mouth
- Popping sounds when moving the jaw
- Constant headaches or pain around the mouth
- Pain in the ears, shoulders or neck
Get First-Class Dental Care
Do not wait until an oral health problem gets worse. Get the care you need right away by scheduling a time to see Dr. Lindsay B. Eastman. New patients dealing with stress in Lakewood Ranch, FL and Bradenton, FL can reach us by contacting 941-209-1847.
