Want a Great Smile? Don’t Stress.

OK – we know that it can be hard to control stress levels. Traffic, work, family, and other factors often seem to conspire against you and stress you out. You know that stress can be bad for your body and your emotional wellbeing. But here’s something else to consider – stress doesn’t do your smile any favors.

Here, Scottsbluff NE dentist Dr. Gary Cheloha discusses stress in relation to your smile. Dr. Cheloha and the entire team at Monument Smiles want to have a healthy smile and stay calm, cool, and collected!

Stress and Your Smile

You probably don’t think about your teeth and gums in relation to stress, but your smile can be negatively impacted by the everyday stressors in life. Here’s how…

  • Teeth Grinding: The medical name for this condition is bruxism. We all grind our teeth or clench our jaw from time to time, but stress may cause an increase in these activities. Most bruxers (the word for people with bruxism) don’t know they do it, typically because it occurs during slumber. Bruxism can wear down teeth and put undue stress on the temporomandibular joints. Jaw joint problems can cause pain and pressure throughout the body. Worn teeth can crack and require restoration.
  • Canker and Cold Sores: These two types of mouth sores aren’t related – cold sores are caused by a virus, and canker sores are ulcerations with an as-yet-unidentified cause. However, stress can increase the risk of developing both canker sores and cold sores.
  • Dental Decay and Gum Disease: When you’re stressed, you may fall down on the job when it comes to brushing and flossing. Not removing plaque from the surface of teeth, between teeth, and at the gumline can cause decay- and disease-causing bacteria to flourish, resulting in increased risk of cavities and gum disease.

Stay Healthy and Strong

When your smile suffers, your whole body can experience the consequences. Oral and overall health are more interconnected than you may think. That’s why it’s important to take care of your smile, even in the face of stress.

If you’re stressed out, let us know. We can recommend ways to help. Call Monument Smiles in Scottsbluff NE today.