Dealing with stress impacts every aspect of your life, including your dental health. While you may not be able to avoid all stress, you do have control over how you manage challenging life events. Exploring how reducing stress improves your oral health helps you take action to preserve your smile no matter what life throws your way.

Create More Time For Oral Health Care

When life heats up, you may begin to neglect important parts of your self-care and hygiene needs. For instance, people sometimes opt out of going to the dentist for checkups and cleanings. Practicing good time management can help to reduce the stress that comes from having a packed agenda. For instance, scheduling dental cleanings in advance helps you avoid forgetting essential appointments.

Prevent Tooth Damage From Grinding and Jaw Clenching

People tend to clench their jaws and grind their teeth without realizing they are engaging in the habit. Too often, dentists are the first people to notice that someone’s toothache is caused by grinding. Learning how to use stress management techniques such as deep breathing before bedtime can help you avoid costly tooth damage.

Avoid Stress Snacking

If you tend to reach for sugary snacks during stressful moments, then you could be putting yourself at risk of developing a toothache. Unfortunately, snacking throughout the day exposes your teeth to more acids that increase the risk of decay. If you need to snack, then reach for something healthier for your teeth such as crunch vegetables or cheese. Stress management techniques such as massaging your jaw can also help you resist the urge to chomp on unhealthy foods.

Reduce Your Reliance On Tobacco and Alcohol

When stress levels rise, many people use substances as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, you might begin to notice that you feel more stressed if your beautiful smile begins to develop unsightly tobacco stains or gum disease. Drinking alcohol in excess can also lead to enamel erosion which can leave you with a toothache if your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures or sweets. Finding healthier ways to manage your stress prevents serious dental issues. Taking a walk or talking to a trusted friend don’t cause harm to your teeth. 

Feel Motivated to Address Serious Dental Health Issues

Denial is a coping mechanism that some people might use to avoid dealing with difficult issues.  If you’ve been avoiding dealing with tooth decay or gum disease due to being under stress, then it may help to know that you have lots of options for alleviating pain and mental strain. Once you get your stress under control, it becomes easier to begin planning for dental implants and other types of essential oral health care. 

Contact Barry P. Leven DMD, PC for More Information!

The connection between stress and dental health issues is clear. As you work on clearing the stress from your life, it is also important to focus on your oral health. Eliminating tooth pain can help you decrease your mental stress. Working with Dr. Barry Levin provides you with a dental care plan that eliminates your discomfort and makes you want to show off your smile. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment that provides you with a major mental health boost.