You’re not the only one who has been a little tense lately. A study published by the University of North Carolina and Harvard Medical School claims that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a 55% increase in stress levels in the United States! High levels of stress can cause a variety of general health problems, including problems with your teeth. Additionally, the current public health crisis is drawing attention to the negative effects that lifestyle stressors can 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 conditions 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 disorders affecting the jaw muscles (temporomandibular symptoms), chipped and cracked 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 frequently start grinding their teeth as a coping mechanism. Jaw pain, earaches, headaches, and worn-down teeth can result from clenching the jaw or holding the teeth too tightly together during 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 infections. It implies that oral infections, such as cold sores or canker, may take longer to heal.
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 dental offices in the US are open. The number of patients leveled off at slightly more than 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels, suggesting that patients have not yet fully returned to their regular treatment and preventive care regimens. The fact that both adults and children are impacted makes this news concerning.
Strategies to lessen oral health issues brought on by stress
You can take action to prioritize your family’s oral health and lessen stress-related oral health issues, but you can’t make the pandemic or the stress it causes go away overnight.
- Take a few minutes to relax your jaw and face muscles and allow your teeth to part if you catch yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day. Discuss potential solutions, such as a mouthguard, with your dentist if you grind your teeth at night.
- Boost your immune system by eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals and getting adequate sleep.
- Regularly brush and floss. The best defense 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 offices are open and taking extra precautions. Pre-appointment screenings, 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 favorite 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 mental well-being can be achieved by making healthy decisions.