Jessica Arnold wrote this.
Published on October 30, 2020
You’re not the only one who has been a touch tense recently. A study published by the University of North Carolina and Harvard Medical School claims that the COVID-19 epidemic has caused a 55% spike in stress levels in the United States! High amounts of stress can cause a variety of general health concerns, including difficulties with your teeth. Additionally, the present public health crisis is drawing attention to the negative effects that lifestyle pressures may have on one’s health and wellbeing. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists have observed an increase in stress-related oral health issues among their patients, according to new data from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute’s (HPI) COVID-19 impact poll.
More than half of the dentists surveyed said that diseases involving the jaw muscles (temporomandibular symptoms), chipped and fractured teeth, and teeth grinding (bruxism) had increased. More than 25% of these same dentists reported an increase in gum disease and cavities.
Your smile is impacted by stress.
People who are under a lot of stress may start grinding their teeth as a coping mechanism. Jaw discomfort, earaches, headaches, and worn-down teeth can result from clenching the jaw or keeping the teeth too firmly together throughout the day or while you sleep.
Your immune system may also be negatively impacted by increased stress. Research indicates that weakened immune systems facilitate the growth and spread of diseases. It implies that oral infections, such as cold sores or canker, may take longer to recover.
Stress can also result in poor oral hygiene practices, such as smoking, drinking, and skipping dental checkups and regular brushing and flossing.
Preventive dental care is still declining.
According to an HPI survey, 99 percent of dentist offices in the US are open. The number of patients levelled down at slightly more than 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels, suggesting that people have not yet fully returned to their regular treatment and preventative care regimens. The fact that both adults and children are impacted makes this news concerning.
Strategies to lessen dental health issues brought on by stress
You can take action to prioritise your family’s oral health and lessen stress-related oral health issues, but you can’t make the epidemic or the stress it causes go away overnight.
- Take a few minutes to relax your jaw and cheek muscles and allow your teeth to part if you catch yourself clenching your jaw during the day. Discuss potential remedies, such as a mouthguard, with your dentist if you grind your teeth at sleep.
- Boost your immune system by consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals and obtaining adequate sleep.
- Regularly brush and floss. The best defence against tooth decay and gum disease is maintaining proper oral hygiene at home.
- See a dentist. In order to keep you and your family safe, dental practices are open and taking additional precautions. Pre-appointment screens, temperature checks, additional cleaning and hygienic procedures, and more personal protective equipment for both patients and employees are a few examples.
Make time for your favourite relaxation activities, such as riding your bike or reading a book. Additionally, it’s a fantastic chance to try something different! Maintaining your physical and emotional well-being may be achieved by making good decisions.