Fatal Enemy for the Health of the Mouth

Almost all people have suffered, at some point in their lives, one or several episodes of stress. What they do not know is how this state of nervousness can affect their oral health.

Stress can be the cause of various complications such as tooth decay, bruxism or even cold sores. So if you want to keep the health of your mouth in optimum conditions the best thing you can do is get the nerves out of your daily life. Your smile will thank you.

Being subjected to stressful situations for long periods of time can lead to cavities. How can this be possible? Stress weakens the body’s immune system, which decreases the production of saliva. With less saliva in the mouth, the acids increase and damage the tooth enamel, so that the teeth lose their natural protection. Therefore, that caries appear is just a matter of time.

Stress episodes also facilitate the onset of both halitosis and oral herpes. Herpes tends to go away after a few days with the right treatment, but attention to bad breath is necessary to make sure that this is not the symptom of a gum disease that is weakening the teeth. It is necessary to go to the dentist if halitosis is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth and redness of gums.

Stress can also be a trigger for bruxism, i.e., squeezing and grinding the teeth without the affected person being aware, mainly at night. Therefore, many of the people who suffer from it wake up with jaw pain in the morning.

The bruxism constantly wears and weakens the teeth, being able to get to splinter or to break them because of the continuous pressure to which they are submitted. In the most extreme cases, dental pieces can be lost.

To combat bruxism, it is recommended to use a plaque at night, but it is the dentist who must always indicate the appropriate treatment for each patient.

Of course conducting proper oral hygiene will always help mitigate any oral ailment. It is as simple as following these steps:

  • Brush your teeth after every meal and always before going to sleep.
  • Brush your tongue for fresh breath.
  • Use floss or dental floss to remove any remains housed between the teeth.
  • Limit the consumption of foods with sugar as well as smoking.
  • Check the inside of the mouth to locate small wounds that do not heal or irritate the gums.
  • Periodically visit the dentist for checkups and cleanings.

If these good habits of oral hygiene are accompanied by a quiet and stress-free life, you must be sure that you will wear a radiant smile for a long time.