Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being on the edge. But too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums and overall health. The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:

• Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores.
• Clenching and grinding of teeth (referred to as bruxism).
• Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines.
• Periodontal (gum) disease, or worsening or periodontal disease.

Mouth sores

Canker sores–small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red—appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious.  Although experts are not sure what causes them, it could be an immune system problem, bacteria, or viruses–they do think that stress, as well as fatigue, and allergies can increase the risk of getting them. Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. To reduce irritation, don’t eat spicy foods,  or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.

Cold sores

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by herpes simplex virus and are contagious. The often appear on or around the lips. Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak, so can a fever, a sunburn, or a skin abrasion. Canker sores also heal in about a week. Ask Dr.Shlafer about the treatments he has available to help heal canker sores and cold sores more quickly. It is important to start treatment as soon as you notice the sore forming.

Teeth Grinding

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth–during the day or at night, and often unconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. If you already clench and grind, stress could make it worse. Grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the tempromandibular joint (TMJ), located in the front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. Dr.Shlafer may recommend an appliance to help you stop or minimize the actions.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene routines, like flossing and brushing. When you do not take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall health can suffer. When you are under stress you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems. Boosting or resuming an exercise routine can help relieve stress and help you feel more energized, which would allow you to cook healthier meals and resume your oral hygiene routine.

Gum Disease

Stress can increase dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short lived. Long-term, the stress can increase the risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, or may progress to serious gum disease. Healthy coping with active and practical strategies to deal with stress can reduce the risk of gum problems. Also, eating a balanced diet, seeing Dr.Shlafer regularly, and good oral hygiene will help.

Given all the chewing, crunching, and biting they do, our teeth are surprisingly resilient! Still, everyday wear and tear and the natural aging process take their toll.

What happens to our teeth as we age?

Preventing Acid Erosion

By far the biggest threat to teeth is sugary and starchy food. These carbohydrates ferment, causing bacteria in the mouth to produce acids. Those acids can quickly eat away at the enamel of the teeth. As a result, this creates tiny pits where tooth decay can form. Most of us assume that sugary candy is the worst offender, but sweetened colas, can be more dangerous since carbonation increases acid levels in the mouth, leaving you at risk for decay.

What to do:

Go easy on the sugary foods and avoid frequent snacking. If you get a craving for something sweet, chew some sugarless gum. Chewing increases saliva production, which helps cleanse the mouth and neutralize acidity. Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes and floss daily. Daily dental hygiene  will reduce the bacteria levels in your mouth.

Preventing Mechanical Wear and Tear on Your Teeth

The function of teeth is mostly mechanical–to mash and grind our food, making it more easily digested. Teeth that have fillings, or root canals are particularly vulnerable, since they don’t have the strength of a structurally intact tooth.

Another problem that causes wear and tear is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. This is called bruxism, it is frequently caused by stress or anxiety. Over time, bruxism can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, making  them susceptible to decay.

What to do:

Avoid chewing ice and other very hard foods. Double check foods that have pits to make sure they have been removed before biting down on them. Have regular dental check ups, Dr.Shlafer can determine if there are broken, or cracked fillings that may weaken your teeth. He will also look for signs of bruxism, in many cases people who grind or clench their teeth are not aware of the habit or the damage they are doing to their teeth. A mouth guard may be recommended to wear at night to prevent grinding.

Preventing Stains on Your Teeth

Certain foods—especially coffee, tea, and red wine–can stain teeth. Tobacco, both smoked and chewed, also discolor teeth.

What to do:

Try to avoid food that stain your teeth, brush regularly to remove plaque build up, which will help teeth resist staining, and have your teeth cleaned professionally at least every 6 months. If you are still dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, we can recommend some bleaching options.

Preventing Gum Problems

By far the biggest threat to healthy teeth, is gum disease. The risk of gum problems increases with age, especially as pockets form at the gum-line where bacteria can grow. Left untreated, bacterial infections can cause inflammation that damages connective tissue and even bone, leading to tooth loss.

What to do:

Brush and floss regularly to remove bacteria. Try an antibacterial mouthwash for added protection and see Dr. Shlafer for regular 6 month visits. This is particularly important for detecting gum disease early. Since gum disease is an inflammatory process, eating foods that suppress inflammation may help. Growing evidence suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help. Good sources of omega-3 acids include fish, fish oil, and flax seed.

Have you noticed any changes in your mouth?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing  and moving the jaw. These disorders are often incorrectly called TMJ, which stands for  temporomandibular joint.

The temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head.  The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side, enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn.

What causes TMD? Injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles of the head and neck–such as from a heavy blow or whiplash can cause TMD. Other possible causes are: grinding or clenching of teeth; dislocation of the soft cushion or disc: presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ; stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles.

Symptoms of TMD. Common symptoms of TMD include: pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders; limited ability to open your mouth very wide; jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open or closed mouth position; clicking, popping, or grating sounds; and difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite.

How is TMD diagnosed? Because many other conditions can cause similar symptoms to TMD–including a toothache, sinus problem, arthritis, or gum disease. Dr.Shlafer will conduct a careful patient history and clinical examination to determine the cause of your symptoms.  Dr.Shlafer will be looking for TMJ pain and tenderness; listen for clicking; popping, or grating sounds during jaw movement. He would look for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth and examine the bite and facial muscle function.

Treatment for TMD range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and surgery. No need to suffer, if you feel you are experiencing any of these symptoms, give us a call so we can set up an evaluation appointment.