Greetings, everybody! Stress is quite the factor when it comes to oral health. Emotional health plays an important factor when it comes to our pearly whites, why is that? Well, it goes down to stress and anxiety inducing harmful behaviors that can affect the smile.
So for today’s article we will reviewing just how stress can affect this. Los Algodones dentists have pointed out some interesting topics to talk about when it comes to this!
Teeth grinding 
Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. It is when we clench and grit our teeth together. This happens either during the day when we are stressed or during the night as we sleep.
Bruxism can become dangerous as it harms our teeth. Our tooth enamel is the hardest part of our bodies, so when grinded together, they wear down one against the other. Engaging in teeth grinding results in tooth sensitivity, easier tooth decay, and also makes our pearly whites look more flat.
In order to lessen this, it is important to address what may be causing it. If you find yourself clenching your teeth during the day, it is likely that the source is stress or anxiety. For this, we recommend engaging in relaxing activities such as listening to music, meditating, or anything that puts you at ease. For those who grind their teeth at night, it is advisable that you get yourselves a night guard. A night guard will make sure your teeth stay protected while you rest!
Canker and cold sores
Canker sores
These are tiny, round spots with red borders that appear inside our mouths. They can be on our tongues, inner cheeks, and even gums.
Canker sores are harmless to the body, although quite painful. There is no real link as to what really causes them, but it can range from bacteria to viruses, to bad dental habits, but usually attributed to stress.
In order to have an easier time dealing with these, try to avoid hot and spicy foods. These just help reminding you how much they can hurt! These heal quickly, ranging from 7 to 10 days for small ones and about 2 weeks for big ones.
Cold sores
Now cold sores are fever blisters. These are caused by the herpes simplex virus. As opposed to canker sores, these appear outside the mouth around the lips and even under the nose or even chin.
These blisters contain fluid and can spread to other people, so it is recommended to be careful. They heal after about a week, and you can ask your dentist about them and seek treatment as well.
Lack of habits
When we are upset and stressed, we might skip brushing and flossing at times. This is a crucial time because not having these dental habits can cause havoc in our mouths later on. It takes plaque about three days to harden into tartar. This makes us ore more prone to cavities and gum disease.
Also there is the possibility of snacking even more than usual, and as you know, sugar incites plaque production. Los Algodones dentists recommend brushing twice a day at least in order to remove sugar and food particles. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water and to rinse our mouth throughout the day to help keeping our pearly whites clean.