Stress & Oral Health: How Your Smile Is Affected

Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month? We wanted to take a moment to talk about how stress and oral health are connected and how it can affect your teeth and gums. We know that life can be tough sometimes, but it’s still important to keep your smile healthy and happy. 

Here are a few signs that stress might be taking a toll on your grin:

  1. You’re not brushing and flossing as much as you should. When you’re stressed out, it’s easy to forget about things like brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once. But trust us, dealing with a toothache or cavity is way more stressful than taking a few minutes to take care of your teeth. So, make sure you stick to your usual routine, no matter what!
  2. You’ve been skipping your regular check-ups. We get it – when you’re busy or stressed, going to the dentist might not be at the top of your to-do list. But here’s the thing: by going to your regular appointments every six months, you’re making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy and avoiding bigger problems down the road.
  3. You’re grinding your teeth. Did you know that stress is one of the main reasons people grind their teeth or have TMJ (jaw joint) problems? If you’ve been waking up with a sore jaw or headaches, it could be because you’re grinding your teeth at night. But don’t worry – we’ve got a solution! Our TMJ treatment can help relieve your pain and make chewing easy and comfortable again.

Eeven though life can be stressful sometimes, don’t forget to take care of your smile. Keep brushing and flossing, come see us for your regular check-ups, and let us know if you think you might be grinding your teeth. We’re here to help keep your grin looking and feeling its best!

We also wanted to share a helpful video by The American Institute of Stress that talks about the physical impact of stress:

Call 479-668-3109 or schedule online for an appointment at Dallas Street Dental in Fort Smith, AR.