Your Mouth and Stress: Effects on Oral Health You Should Know About
Evaluating the effects of stress on oral health can help identify problem areas for treatment. Understanding the connection can also support other wellness interventions to aid in safe and effective stress management that doesn’t negatively affect oral health.
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“Stress can affect your oral health by worsening existing periodontal disease symptoms or influencing harmful habits.”
Stress Is A Problem: An Overview of Stress and Your Health
Stress and oral health are uniquely linked in several ways. Psychological stress is a natural response to our circumstances, changes, fears, pressure, or anything negative (real or perceived).
This natural fight-or-flight response can cause you to neglect good oral hygiene or increase harmful habits, like smoking, drinking, or eating junk food. Chronic or debilitating stress can further compound those issues, causing further harm to overall health and oral health.
What’s The Connection Between Your Mouth and Stress?
Stress can affect your oral health by worsening existing periodontal disease symptoms or influencing harmful habits.
Can Stress Cause Gum Disease?
Stress can impact periodontal health, including the development of gum disease. It may present as behavioral changes, neglecting oral hygiene, increased smoking, vaping, or alcohol consumption, and a lack of good nutrition.[1] Each of these, individually, can have a negative impact on the gums, and together, the impact could be exponential.
Other risk factors that are often associated with stress and periodontal disease include poor quality or not enough sleep, poor nutrition, plaque buildup, and recent illnesses.[2] Compromised periodontal health is a serious condition that must be addressed as soon as possible. Seek periodontal disease treatment Cedar Park residents trust to evaluate the possible impact of stress on your oral health.
Can Stress Cause Tooth Pain?
Yes, stress can cause tooth pain, often in the form of increased teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, and jaw pain. Studies have shown that perceived stress and tooth pain are strongly connected, with social stress and social pressure being the most associated with tooth pain, along with experiencing “too many things at once.” [3]
Can Stress Cause Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay and poor oral health are connected to stress as a subset of mental health conditions. Those with poor mental health are 3x more likely to rate their oral health as poor, whereas those with good mental health have 78% lower odds of poor oral health. [4]
Some of this is due to avoiding dental care, poor oral hygiene, life disruptions, and other factors. One common thread remains: the higher and more persistent your stress, the more your oral health can suffer, including increased risk of tooth decay.
Can Stress Affect Your Teeth And Gums?
Absolutely. Stress can lead to teeth grinding, jaw pain, dry mouth, cold sores, poor oral hygiene, and other unhealthy habits (like smoking, junk food, etc.) that impact oral and gum health. The best approach to reducing the risk of oral health problems is to manage stress safely and consistently.
Can Stress Cause Bleeding Gums?
Yes, it is possible for bleeding gums to be caused or intensified by stress. Studies show that psychological issues like stress are linked as risk factors for necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) (or “trench mouth”), a periodontal disease.[5] This condition is characterized by tissue death and damage, oral pain, and bleeding gums.
Does Stress Cause Gum Recession?
It can be, yes. One study showed that those with a poor ability to manage job-related stress had higher markers for periodontal disease, with gum recession being one of the several common symptoms found.[6] Other symptoms of periodontal disease include bleeding gums, swollen or inflamed gums, chronic bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing, tender gums, and more.
Natural Stress Management Tips
Prioritize self-care and eliminate as many stressors as possible to reduce stress and its effects in your life. For persistent stress or more serious mental health concerns like suicidal ideation or self-harm, seek professional help immediately or call 911.
Some natural stress management tips include:
Mindfulness and Meditation: Release negative thinking and cultivate a positive perspective
Gratitude Journaling: Express gratitude for everything good and even challenges that help you grow
Walking and Exercise: Physical exertion releases positive hormones that help your brain and your body feel better
Get Plenty of Rest: Sleep 7+ hours a night and start a consistent bed routine early
Limit Exposure to Social Media: This is usually a negative cycle of information overload that may increase stress
Create Space For Good: Spend time with loved ones, enjoy hobbies, give back to your community, and find ways to focus outward rather than inward
See A Periodontist To Evaluate Your Oral Health
For gentle or sedated periodontal disease treatment Cedar Park residents trust, contact Central Texas Periodontics. Find comfort in dental care.
Sources:
[1][2]Macrì, M., D’Albis, G., D’Albis, V., Antonacci, A., Abbinante, A., Stefanelli, R., Pegreffi, F., & Festa, F. (2024, May 16). Periodontal Health and its relationship with psychological stress: A cross-sectional study. Journal of clinical medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11122378/
[3]Vasiliou, A., Shankardass, K., Nisenbaum, R., & Quiñonez, C. (2016, September 2). Current stress and Poor Oral Health. BMC oral health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5010733/
[4]Tiwari, T., Kelly, A., Randall, C. L., Tranby, E., & Franstve-Hawley, J. (2022, February 7). Association between mental health and oral health status and care utilization. Frontiers in oral health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8859414/
[5][6]Corridore, D., Saccucci, M., Zumbo, G., Fontana, E., Lamazza, L., Stamegna, C., Di Carlo, G., Vozza, I., & Guerra, F. (2023, May 22). Impact of stress on Periodontal Health: Literature Revision. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10218473/