Posted by Osuna Dental Care Nov 06, 2022
Stress can be caused by many things, including work, money, family, and personal relationships. It can make us irritable, impatient, and anxious. When stress is prolonged, your body can begin to have physical effects, including your oral and dental health.
When you don’t get enough rest, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which can become harmful to your health. It can throw your hormones out of whack and increase your risk of diabetes or heart disease. It can also affect your dental health. Cortisol increases acid production in your mouth, which can degrade your teeth over time. Get enough sleep every night to avoid this risk.
Most people already know that stress can affect your sleep and cause muscle tension, but did you know that it can also contribute to other health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure? It’s thought that inflammation caused by chronic stress may be a major contributing factor to all of these serious conditions. And you may be surprised to learn that your oral health is also at risk when your body is under stress. Here’s what you need to know.
The relationship between stress and your oral health has to do with your mouth’s inflammatory response. When you are stressed, your body releases a flood of hormones that trigger the “fight or flight” response in your body. This is part of the nervous system’s response to stress that can temporarily boost blood pressure and blood sugar to help prepare your body for action. Unfortunately, these types of responses can also negatively impact your oral health. It can affect your immune response, causing an increase in inflammatory chemicals that can trigger periodontal disease. This can cause more plaque to build up on your teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay and cavities. But stress may also contribute to dry mouth, which can contribute to decay as well.
So how can you combat this risk to your teeth and gums? For starters, try to reduce your stress levels. Find ways to reduce your workload or reduce the number of responsibilities you have on your plate. It’s also important to make time for healthy sleep, exercise, relaxation, and good nutrition. All of these things can help to reduce your stress levels and protect your oral health.
To learn more about the dental procedures offered by Osuna Dental Care, call us at (505) 884-1989 or visit our dental office located at 5900 Cubero Dr NE suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
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