Do your teeth seem to have it out for you lately? Has your mouth begun to feel worse for wear? It might not be as much of a mystery as you think. Both mental and physical exhaustion can affect our bodies and our mouths are no different. The good news is that if stress is indeed behind your dental problems Dr. Mingus in Bend, Oregon has some advice to help you restore your dental health.
Why Stress Affects Oral Health
When you experience stress, your body increases its levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to various health issues such as high blood pressure, weight gain, anxiety, depression, and even gum disease. Too much cortisol in the system can cause inflammation in the oral cavity, leading to pain, swollen gums, and even infections. These symptoms can, in turn, contribute to a multitude of dental issues. The long-term stress of work, financial hardships, and even relationship worries can also cause teeth grinding, which can wear down enamel and create fractures or chips. To make matters worse, stress often leads to poor eating habits, and that can contribute to cavities as well.
How to Respond to Stressors for Excellent Oral Health
One of the most effective ways to combat the toxic effects of stress on your oral health is to manage your stress as best you can. This might mean taking up meditation, exercising regularly, or finding an activity you adore that helps divert your attention from the stressor. You might also want to ask your dentist or physician about whether or not medications like antidepressants or tranquilizers might help, especially if you have a diagnosed condition that requires these medications anyway.
Don’t overlook your oral health hygiene. Keep up with brushing and flossing; your mouth might not be in top shape, but the last thing it needs is to suffer from a gum or teeth infection. Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash regularly and if needed you can make use of products meant to eliminate or control teeth grinding like specialized mouthguards or even Botox. Most importantly, do not overlook your visits to Dr. Mingus, as he can keep an eye out for any changes in your dental health and respond swiftly if you do develop an issue.
Dr. Mingus’ Bend-Approved Tips for a Healthier Mouth
• Eat tooth-friendly foods: Dr. Mingus recommends avoiding refined sugary foods and acidic foods and drinks – coffee, soda, and energy drinks to stick to healthful foods that contain plenty of fiber to promote saliva production, calcium to promote bone density, and probiotics to help maintain control of irritating bacteria in the mouth.
• Crunch an apple after a meal: Because apples contain high amounts of water, they are also generally considered to be good for your teeth. The water helps to rinse acids and bacteria out of the mouth, while the fiber in the apple helps to stimulate saliva production.
• Choose the right kind of snack: If a snack break is unavoidable, choose cheese and vegetables over candy, sugary cereal bars, and fruit juice. These foods contain good bacteria which can help balance out the bad ones in the mouth.
• Make healthy beverage choices: It is typical of the average person to reach for soda and coffee when stress is raging high, but these drink are some of worst for your healthy smile. It is better to go for water or tea, as they promote saliva production, which naturally helps to rinse the mouth
Conclusion
Your overall health plays a key role in keeping teeth and gums in great condition. Therefore, it is not too surprising that high levels of stress can have an effect on your dental well-being. The most important thing to do when stress levels are high is to take good care of yourself, consuming nutritiously and getting enough sleep, and trying to mitigate the negative effects of stress with meditation, exercise, and laughter. And, don’t forget to keep visiting Dr. Mingus in Bend for expert oral health care.