Stress can have a lot of negative effects on your health. It can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It can trigger or exacerbate a number of conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can also influence your overall wellness. Stress is your body’s reaction to any demand or change that requires an adjustment or response. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. It can be beneficial. It can help you cope with difficult situations. However, when there is too much stress, it can have a negative impact on your health.
Relation Between Stress And Oral Health
For many of us, stress is a part of everyday life – from the daily grind to major life events like losing a job or moving. What many people don’t realize is that stress can also have a big impact on your oral health!
When we’re stressed, our body enters a fight-or-flight response, which releases adrenaline and other hormones. This can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as tense muscles throughout the body. This reaction prepares the body for action in the face of danger by releasing sugar into the bloodstream for quick energy. Unfortunately, this can lead to tooth decay when not addressed quickly.
This is because of the relationship between stress and the bacteria that inhabit the mouth. While stress doesn’t directly cause bacteria to grow more aggressively in the mouth or cause you to lose control of your brushing habits, it can speed up the progression and development of oral conditions like gum disease. During times of high stress, our immune system’s response is less effective at fighting off harmful bacteria that are already present. This is not only bad for our teeth but can also lead to other health problems as well.
Manage Your Stress
That’s why it’s so important to find healthy ways to manage stress so that you can prevent unnecessary damage to your teeth. Here are some great ways to help relieve stress in your life:
Get regular exercise: Exercise is a great way to release endorphins and help improve your mindset. It also helps boost your immune system so that you’re better equipped to fight infections throughout your body.
Find healthy ways to cope with stress: Certain supplements, meditation, deep breathing, journaling, and more are all great ways to help relieve your stress so you can improve your overall health in more ways than one!
Stick to healthy habits: Brushing and flossing daily after each meal is the best way to keep your mouth as clean and healthy as possible during stressful times. Ask your dentist about additional things you can do to keep your oral health at its best.
To know more about the dental practice, call us at (262) 886-9440 and schedule an appointment to visit the dentist in Racine, WI.