Can Stress Cause Tooth Pain?
Stress can have a negative impact on your overall health, including your immune system, mental health, and even your oral health. Stress can come from many sources, including family, work, and intimate relationships. If you experience stress and tooth pain, you are not alone. However, there are ways to manage your stress and manage the issues that have arisen due to the stress.
The Impact of Stress
Countless people experience stress daily in the United States. Stress is a normal process that functions to help humans stay safe from external threats. However, it can become problematic if your body and mind are under stress constantly.
Your hypothalamus sends stress hormones to the rest of your body. This triggers your body’s “fight or flight” response, often causing a physical reaction in your body in the form of a racing heartbeat and quick breathing. This reaction protects you from external threats in an emergency situation. However, if you are triggered by smaller, less life-threatening things regularly, it can be problematic for your mind and body.
How Does Stress Affect Oral Health?
Stress can affect your oral health in several ways. It can make you tense and clench or grind your teeth. Often, those who are affected by this don’t take notice of it right away. This can occur day or night and lead to oral pain and possible damage to your teeth. The teeth grinding can lead to further issues such as issues with your enamel, tooth pain, and even a chipped tooth.
TMJ
For those who already have issues with grinding or clenching, stress could make it worse. Issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can occur. The joint is located in the front of your ear where the skull and lower jaw connect. Problems with the TMJ can cause major jaw pain and impact your oral health.
Distracts from Care
Stress can also make you less concerned with things like your oral health. If you are too busy to do your regular oral care routine, it can lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Stress also causes some people to make less healthy choices when it comes to meals and snacks.
Whether it’s overeating or eating foods high in sugar, poor food choices and relaxing your oral care routine can cause harmful bacteria to grow and cause tooth decay. This is a common cause of tooth pain that can be very uncomfortable. Stress might not directly cause tooth pain, but stress and tooth pain often appear at the same time.
Steps to Combat Stress and Maintain Your Oral Health
Your mental and physical health are equally important. If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, it can impact your physical health. Maintaining a balanced schedule, reducing stress levels, and taking care of your physical health is vital for your overall health and wellness. Below you will find a few steps to combat stress and maintain your oral health through times of stress.
- Mental Health: If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or even depression, contact a medical provider for support. Talk therapy or even guided meditation can help get you back to feeling like yourself again.
- Oral Health: Your oral health can impact your overall physical health. Focus on brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using a mouthwash with fluoride daily to combat unwanted plaque. Also, it is vital to visit the dentist for a checkup at least every six months. Regularly visiting a dentist can help fight tooth decay and ensure your oral health is maintained.
- Diet: If you notice that your diet changes when you are under stress, you have a few options for how to combat stress eating. You can try a diary diet to help you become more aware of how your diet changes under stress. You can also remove any tempting foods or drinks, such as candy, pastries, or sugary drinks. Even just noticing your diet changes can help alert you that you may be under stress.
- Physical Health: Physical activity can help with mental health and stress. Take a walk on your lunch break, lift some light weights after work, or even try a home workout. Even if you move just fifteen minutes a day, it can help.
Dentists in Diamond Bar
If you are experiencing stress and tooth pain or need to schedule a checkup, contact Diamond Bar Dental Studio! Whatever your dental needs are, Diamond Bar Dental Studio is equipped to take care of them. At Diamond Bar Dental, the focus of Dr. Cho and Dr. Jeon is to ensure that your dental health is completely taken care of once you leave their office. If you need to make an appointment, contact Diamond Bar Dental and set up your first visit!
646 N. Diamond Bar Blvd.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
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