Stress. We all feel it and it can be harmful in many ways. It takes a toll on your emotional well being, it can impact your physical health, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease, and it can affect your smile!

Bruxism (teeth grinding): high levels of stress can leads you to grind your teeth or clench your jaw. If you wake up with a sore mouth and think you might be grinding or clenching, talk with your dentist about getting a night guard to help protect our teeth. Prolonged teeth grinding can wear down your enamel which causes tooth decay and/or sensitivity, and has the ability to do permanent damage to your jaw.

Periodontal Disease: Long-term stress can weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off bacteria. This ultimately makes you more susceptible to infections like gum disease.

Canker Sores: While the specific cause of canker sores is not known for sure, a possible trigger may be stress!

If you find that you are stressed, it’s vital to take care of yourself. Be vigilant about brushing, flossing, eating healthy, and drinking a lot of water! This will help to minimize the negative impacts stress can have on your beautiful smile. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give our office a call at 610-489-5555.