Are you feeling a sense of unease or stress in your life that you have never experienced before? It is safe to say that the past year has been rather difficult. Life for many has been in a constant state of change, including working from home, students learning virtually, travel restrictions, among many other hardships. You may be aware of the physical and mental difficulties that can arise from added stress in your life, but do you know that your oral health is at risk as well? Continue reading to learn about oral conditions that can arise from added stress in your daily life.
Can a Dentist Really Tell if You Are Stressed?
The answer to that question is definitely yes. Your teeth and gums give clues to how you are doing emotionally. Here are some warning signs that we might notice:
Jaw Discomfort
When you come to our office for an appointment and are concerned about jaw discomfort and tenderness when you have never experienced it before, it is a warning sign to our staff. Jaw issues can arise when you are clenching or grinding your teeth, both symptoms related to added stress. These are also symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, a condition that affects the jaw muscles in the face.
Worn Teeth
This is commonly caused by bruxism, or the grinding of teeth. Oftentimes, patients are not aware that they are grinding their teeth until they are notified by a loved one or visit our office. Teeth grinding can occur during the day or at night.
Cracks in Teeth
More patients are experiencing cracks in their teeth than ever before. When clenching or grinding your teeth, there is always the possibility that the pressure can crack the enamel. This can also be caused by nail biting or biting on a pen.
What You Can Do
One of the best things you can do is recognize that you have added stress in your life. While it is not always possible to remove stress, there are ways that you can make yourself feel better:
- Take a walk
- Do yoga
- Visit a counselor
- Get a message
- Speak to our office about a dental solution for TMD or grinding your teeth
If you feel that you might be suffering from any oral conditions that are out of the ordinary for you, we recommend to call our office located in Brunswick, GA to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Delaying a potential dental problem can only lead to more involved treatment and costly repairs. Stay well, and we hope to see you soon.